On the 29th of May, the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) hosted the opening of the graduation festival TASE ’24, which took place at the Tallinn Art Hall and featured a city-wide satellite program. During the festival’s opening, the 2024 awards for Young Artist, Young Designer, and Young Applied Artist were presented.
The Young Artist Award at the master’s level was given to scenography master’s student Anita Kremm. The committee found that Anita Kremm‘s work reveals a broader anthropological and psychoanalytical dimension, raising numerous unanswered questions and touching on the melancholic landscapes of human existence.
The Young Artist Award at the master’s level includes an exhibition at either the Draakon or Hobusepea gallery.
The Young Artist Award at the bachelor’s level was awarded to Eke Ao Nettan and Rebeca Parbus. Eke Ao Nettan was recognized for the coherent and delicate line work in the playfully lively “A Silence Seen By Looking” and Rebeca Parbus for the impactful social art project “The Moment of “Moment”” in Tallinn’s urban space, created together with artist Estookin.
In this category, contemporary art students Cloe Jancis, Mara Kirchberg, Zody Burke, Noah Morrison, Sarah Katherine Noonan, Andre Joosep Arming, and Viktor Kudrjašov were also highlighted. Cloe Jancis was praised for a refined installation where both the artist and viewer’s self-reflection have an equal voice; Mara Kirchberg for creating a convincing material system and highlighting its fragility; Zody Burke for an ethnographic posthuman spatial treatment; Noah Morrison for sensitively capturing the essence of the local graffiti culture; Sarah Katherine Noonan for her delicate handling of materials and thoughtful spatial use; Andre Joosep Arming for his direct and vulnerable openness in creation; and Viktor Kudrjašov for seamlessly integrating classical music, artificial intelligence, and modern technology to raise questions about the future of human expression and automation. Last year’s Young Artist Award winner, Samuel Lehikoinen, particularly praised Viktor Kudrjašov‘s work “The Fuge of the Motors” commenting: “By smoothly combining classical music, artificial intelligence, and modern technology, the artist creates an engaging sensory experience of light, sound, and movement. The unique performance by autonomous machine-interpreters, inspired by Bach, raises questions about the future of human expression and the intersection of art and automation.”
The Young Artist Award committee included Kirke Kangro, Elin Kard, Aleksander Metsamärt, Krista Mölder, and Samuel Lehikoinen.
The Young Designer Award at the bachelor’s level was given to graphic design student Ljubov Terukova for the work “ Slanger – Estonian language slang calendar” This Estonian slang calendar demonstrates that visual humor can transcend language barriers. “Slanger” offers a positive alternative for communication between communities in the increasingly depressive context of international conflicts.
In this category, digital product design student Kaisa Uik, for the work “ Equal e-Estonia: Improving the accessibility of national e-services through an awareness-raising and guidance-providing opinion piece” and industrial design student Kertu Liisa Lepik, for the work “I Endure,” were also recognized.
The Young Designer Award at the master’s level was awarded to product design student Kristina Allik for the work “Supporting practitioners on their way to becoming an educator – a guide for higher education institutions”.
In this category, product design student Ester Sall, for the work “Abstract – Pinepacking: Exploring the Application of Bio-based Vegan Material Piñatex® in Cycling Gear,” and fashion design student Epp Vislapuu, for the work “Sounds on My Shoulder – Clothes as Noise Indicator,” were also recognized.
The Young Designer Award committee included Kai Lobjakas, Martin Veisman, Geroli Peedu, Margus Tamm, and Kristjan Mändmaa.
The Young Applied Artist Award at the bachelor’s level was given to ceramics student Ethel Ütsmüts for the work “Ethel is God.” According to the committee, Ütsmüts‘ work is a convincing and sincere concept with a coherent spatial solution. Various professional techniques meet in a personal space, supporting the entire installation. The author’s presence and role-playing in the space add a personal touch and create a direct relationship with the viewer.
In this category, fashion design student Edvard Vellevoog was recognized for his experimental approach to his field in the work “Collapse (?)” and jewelry and blacksmithing student Bianca Triinu Toots for the work “In Search of Unheard Sounds.”
The Young Applied Artist Award at the master’s level was awarded to ceramics student Triin Lehismets for the work “Using Glaze Chemistry in a Ceramics Studio Practice” According to the committee, the work is presented in a simple, charming, and clear manner, making a significant and commendable contribution to advancing the technological base in the field.
In this category, glass student Elle Lepik, for the works “Agentic Glass Landscapes II” and “Touch-Sensitive Conversations I, II, III,” fashion design student Karl Martin Kelder, for the work “Applications of Entropy in Fashion Design Methodologies
,” and fashion design student Epp Vislapuu, for the work “Sounds on My Shoulder – Clothes as Noise Indicator,” were also recognized.
The Young Applied Artist Award at the master’s level includes an exhibition at the HOP gallery.
The Young Applied Artist Award committee included Maria Valdma-Härm, Pille Kaleviste, Raili Keiv, Laivi Suurväli, and Maret Sarapu.
The Best Thesis Supervisor title was awarded to Gregor Taul.
The TASE graduation festival centers on the EKA students’ graduation exhibition, featuring graduates from the faculties of architecture, design, art culture, and fine arts. The main exhibition is accompanied by a diverse satellite program of specialized exhibitions, defenses, and TASE Film.
The TASE ‘24 exhibitions are open to visitors until June 14th at the Estonian Academy of Arts and the Tallinn Art Hall every day from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
All information about the TASE ’24 program and the graduation projects can be found at https://tase.artun.ee/info-en/