Participants: Merilyn Anvelt, Priit Kirotar, Teele Kumm, Eva-Lotta Künnap, Sulev Mõniste, Johanna Greta Mölder, Mairi Mölder, Mihkel Oksmann, Ann Pajuväli, Taavi Villak, Krista Zimm.
parasiit sulgudes (parasite in brackets) is an exhibition project of the 3rd year Bachelor’s degree students of the Estonian Academy of Arts Graphics Department, supervised by Marten Esko and Eve Kask. The project began of a relatively large-scale word “parasite”, which was like a catalyst to bring forth the students’ interpretation of this word as individuals and as a group.
“Parasite is a rather specific biological term which refers to an organism that exists at the cost of some other organism. As a metaphor, this word also has a predominantly negative meaning, regardless of how it’s used – a parasite is someone or something that is unnecessary to others but who needs others to exist. But this does not make the parasite feel inferior because the parasite does not consider itself to be inferior. A parasite is egocentric, concentrating mostly on himself; he has put himself higher than anyone else, reducing everything else as a source of profit. A parasite is lazy.”
The former was said by someone who does not like if processes don’t began from a grass-roots level, if everything is not self-created, self-made and thought of. Someone who doesn’t like if someone else finds a simpler solution with existing means. Someone who doesn’t distinguish between laziness and simplicity.
But what happens if a parasite decides not to conform to rules of parasitizing? What happens if a parasite becomes independent? Isn’t a parasite already independent? Is parasitizing taking the easier way out or consciously making use of the system for simplicity? Is the parasite an opportunist or a freeloader?
As a social metaphor, parasitizing can be seen everywhere. Parasite is a sign which can be adapted according to everyone’s needs, since a large part of everyday humanity can be considered parasitizing with some exaggeration. If we’re imitating someone, we’re parasitizing and if we’re indicating to the author, we’re half-parasitizing. Parasitizing is inevitable and when it’s taken out of the context, put into brackets, it is just a word that can be parasitized.