Estookin “Simulacrum”

The opening of Estookin’s solo show SIMULACRUM will take place at Telliskivi Creative City’s Outdoor Gallery on Saturday 7 May at 17:00.

The exhibition features portraits of ten popular Estonian musicians: Ivo Linna, Ott Lepland, Laura Pōldvere, Kerli, Leslie Da Bass, Maarja Nuut, Genka, Anna Kaneelina, Rita Ray, Tanel Padar and ten abstractions inspired by their music, all on large one and a half metre canvases. The exhibits are the results of a quest to explore the effects of music on the works of a visual artist.

The opening show of the exhibition will be performed by Laura Põldvere and Uku Kübar.

The opening show will be followed by a conversation between Estookin and Rita Ray about the processes of creating music and art. The conversation is moderated by Henrik Ehte.

The exhibit is open around the clock from 7 May until 7 June 2022.

Curated by: Estookin

Designed by: Estookin

Special thanks to: Ene-Liis Semper, Katrin Reimann, Janno Reimann, Anita Kremm, Kristel Zimmer, Alice Aleksandridi, Andres Ojasu, Reene Teder, Henrik Ehte, Magdaleena Maasik, and the Creative City’s Outdoor Gallery.

The paintings were created as part of an experiment, where Estookin would exclusively listen to the music of the pictured artist during the entire painting process. Drawing inspiration from the music, she created staged portraits that enter into an intimate dialogue with the abstract landscapes that present the artist’s vision of each musician and their music. 

“I love keeping an eye on what other artists are putting out into the world and sharing aesthetic elements that drive me to express my artistic views in a more distinct and personal manner. The exhibits are not made-to-order vinyl designs that draw on a conversation between the artist and musician, and aim to represent the musician’s image as closely as possible. I chose these musicians intentionally and allowed my senses to guide the process of artistic interpretation. These reproductions of the paintings created during my experiment form an independent reality that has lost connection with its origins – in other words, a simulacrum*,” explains Estookin. 

Estookin (b. 1997, Tallinn), who began exploring digital painting in 2012, is an illustrator, and visual and digital artist active in Estonia and abroad. Over the past few years, Estookin has taken part in various creative projects that, in addition to allowing her to create, learn and polish her technical skills, have brought her close to the music industry. Music and sound have always been of integral importance to Estookin’s artistic output. As an outstanding album cover designer, she has created visual identities for musicians such as Bella Poarch, nublu, Wateva and Lexsoul Dancemachine. In addition to music, Estookin draws inspiration from fashion, theatre, architecture, technology and electropunk. Aside from digital art, Estookin finds expression in photography, and video and theatre arts.

SIMULACRUM is part of Estookin’s bachelor’s project for her degree in scenography at the Estonian Academy of Arts. The project is supervised by Ene-Liis Semper. 

* According to Jean Baudrillard, a simulacrum replaces the real. In Simulacra and Simulation he writes, “Simulation is no longer that of a territory, a referential being or a substance. It is the generation by models of a real without origin or reality: a hyperreal. […] It is no longer a question of imitation, nor of reduplication, nor even of parody.” The simulation no longer reflects reality but creates a new and independent reality – a visual representation of sound.

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Additional information:
Estookin
Phone +372 528 8110
info@estookin.studio
www.estookin.studio