Defended Doctoral Theses
2024
Hasso Krull, Kosmiline trikster eesti mütoloogias (Cosmic Trickster in Estonian Mythology)
Supervisors: Prof. Virve Sarapik, Dr. Margus Ott (Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu). Opponents: Prof. Ülo Valk (University of Tartu), Dr. Jaan Undusk (Under and Tuglas Literature Centre of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, Tallinn)
Curriculum: Art History and Visual Culture
Ulvi Haagensen, In the In-Between: Explorations into the Line Between Art and Everyday Life as Seen Through the Eyes of a Practising Visual Artist (Vahepealsuses. Uurimusi kunsti ja igapäevaelu vahelisest joonest visuaalkunstniku silmade läbi)
Supervisors: Dr. Liina Unt (University of Tartu), Dr. Jan Guy (University of Sydney). Opponent: Prof. Mika Elo (University of the Arts, Helsinki)
Curriculum: Art and Design
Nesli Hazal Oktay, Far-away Bodies: Co-creating Design(s) in and for Remote Intimacy (Koosolemine distantsilt. Läheduse kogemine ühisloomelise disaini abil)
Supervisors: Dr. Kristi Kuusk, Prof. Danielle Wilde (Umeå University, University of Southern Denmark). Opponent: Dr. Verena Fuchsberger-Staufer (University of Salzburg)
Curriculum: Art and Design
Gregor Taul, Monumentality Trouble: Monumental-Decorative Art in Late Soviet Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (Sekeldused monumentaalsusega. Monumentaal-dekoratiivkunst hilisnõukogude Eestis, Lätis ja Leedus)
Supervisor: Dr. Anu Allas. Opponent: Dr. Lolita Jablonskienė (Vilnius Academy of Arts)
Curriculum: Art History and Visual Culture. * 1st prize at the 2024 Estonian National Contest for University Students, organized by the Estonian Research Council together with the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
Nina Stener Jørgensen, Participation as Data? Architecture and Cybernetics in Europe around 1968 (Osalus kui andmed? Arhitektuur ja küberneetika Euroopas 1968. aasta paiku)
Supervisor: Prof. Maroš Krivy. Opponent: Dr. Tahl Kaminer (Cardiff University)
Curriculum: Architecture and Urban Planning
2023
Mariann Raisma, Muuseumi võim. Muuseum kollektiivse mälu kujundajana Eestis 20. sajandi murranguperioodidel (The Power of the Museum. Shaping Collective Memory in Estonia during the Turning Points of the 20th Century)
Supervisors: Prof. Linda Kaljundi, Dr. Anneli Randla. Opponent: Dr. Anu Kannike (Estonian National Museum, Tartu)
Curriculum: Cultural Heritage and Conservation
Arife Dila Demir, Extended [Textile] Soma: Somaesthetics of Bodily Discomforts ((Tekstiilist) laiendatud soma: kehalise ebamugavuse somaesteetika)
Supervisors: Prof. Nithikul Nimkulrat (OCAD University), Dr. Kristi Kuusk. Opponent: Dr. Claudia Núñez-Pacheco (Umeå University)
Curriculum: Art and Design
Britta Benno, Mõtlemine kihtides, kujutlemine kihtides. Posthumanistlikud maastikud laiendatud joonistus- ja graafikaväljal (Thinking in Layers, Worlding in Layers: Posthuman Landscapes in Expanded Field of Printmaking and Drawing)
Supervisor: Dr. Elnara Taidre (Art Museum of Estonia, Tallinn). Opponent: Dr. Elo-Hanna Seljamaa (University of Tartu)
Curriculum: Art and Design
Anders Härm, Allumatud kehad. Radikaalsed performatiivsed praktikad 20. ja 21. sajandi kunstis ja kultuuris (Disobedient Bodies. The Radical Performative Practices in Art and Culture of the 20th and 21st Centuries)
Supervisor: Prof. Andres Kurg. Opponent: Dr. Madli Pesti (Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre)
Curriculum: Art History and Visual Culture
2022
Roemer van Toorn, Making Architecture Politically. From Fresh Conservatism to Aesthetics as a Form of Politics
Opponent: Prof. Arie Graafland (Delft University of Technology)
Curriculum: Architecture and Urban Planning
2021
Rait Rosin, Sotsiaalne kunst kui ühiskondlike normide kasvulava. Kunstnike ja kunstipubliku vastastikused ootused Eesti väikelinnades (Social Art as the Source for Changing Social Norms: Artists’ and Art Viewers’ Expectations in Estonian Small Towns)
Supervisors: Dr. Raivo Kelomees, Dr. Margus Vihalem (Tallinn University). Opponent: Dr. Heie Marie Treier (Tallinn University)
Curriculum: Art and Design
Greta Koppel, Hüvasti, konossöörlus? Kunstiteos kui kunstiajaloolise uurimise kese (Farewell to Connoisseurship? The Work of Art in the Focus of Art Historical Research)
Supervisor: Prof. Krista Kodres. Opponent: Dr. Anu Mänd (Tallinn University)
Curriculum: Art History and Visual Culture
Jaana Päeva, Everyday Companions. Meaning-Making Process Through Handbag Design (Igapäevased kaaslased. Tähendusloome protsess käekotidisaini näitel)
Supervisor: Dr. Nithikul Nimkulrat (OCAD University). Opponent: Dr. Malcolm Barnard (Loughborough University)
Curriculum: Art and Design
2020
Siim Tuksam, Modulated Modularity – from mass customisation to custom mass production (Moduleeritud modulaarsus – masskohandamisest kohandatud masstootmiseni)
Supervisors: Dr. Renee Puusepp, Dr. Antoine Picon (Harvard University). Opponent: Andrew Witt (Harvard University)
Curriculum: Architecture and Urban Planning
Sille Pihlak, Prototyping Protocols, Protocolling Prototypes: A Methodological Development of Somatic Modularity for Algorithmic Timber Architecture in Estonian Context (Prototüüpides protokolle, protokollides prototüüpe: Puitarhitektuuri somaatilise modulaarsuse meetodi kujunemine)
Supervisors: Dr. Jüri Kermik, Dr. Roland Snooks (RMIT University). Opponents: Prof. Michael U. Hensel (Vienna University of Technology), Dr. Jan van Schaik (RMIT University)
Curriculum: Architecture and Urban Planning. * 3rd prize at the 2021 Estonian National Contest for University Students, organized by the Estonian Research Council together with the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
Ingrid Ruudi, Spaces of the Interregnum. Transformations in Estonian Architecture and Art, 1986–1994 (Ruumiline interreegnum. Muutused Eesti arhitektuuris ja kunstis 1986–1994)
Supervisor: Prof. Andres Kurg. Opponent: Prof. Vladimir Kulić (Iowa State University)
Curriculum: Art History and Visual Culture
Kristina Jõekalda, German Monuments in the Baltic Heimat? A Historiography of Heritage in the ‘Long Nineteenth Centuryʼ (Saksa mälestised ja Balti Heimat. Pärandi historiograafia “pikal 19. sajandil”)
Supervisors: Prof. Krista Kodres, Prof. Ulrike Plath (Tallinn University). Opponent: Prof. Jörg Hackmann (University of Szczecin; University of Greifswald)
Curriculum: Art History and Visual Culture
2019
Claudia Pasquero, Polycephalum: Aesthetic as a Measure of Ecological Intelligence in Architecture and Urban Design (Polycephalum. Esteetika ja ökoloogiline intelligentsus arhitektuuris ja linnakujunduses)
Supervisors: Dr. Veronika Valk, Prof. Mario Carpo (The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London). Opponent: Prof. Christopher Pierce (Architectural Association School of Architecture, London)
Curriculum: Architecture and Urban Planning. Defended at BAU Design College of Barcelona according to a bilateral agreement
Maris Mändel, Tehiskivimaterjalid Eesti 20. sajandi arhitektuuris. Kasutuslugu ja väärtustamine (Bricks, blocks and panels commonly used in 20th century Estonian architecture. The story of their use and value)
Supervisors: Dr. Mart Kalm, Dr. Lembi-Merike Raado (Tallinn University of Technology). Opponent: Dr. Karl Õiger (Tallinn University of Technology)
Curriculum: Cultural Heritage and Conservation
Kädi Talvoja, Karm stiil eesti kunstiajalookirjutuse kontekstis (Severe Style in the Context of Estonian Art History Writing)
Supervisor: Prof. Virve Sarapik. Opponent: Dr. Epp Annus (Estonian Literary Museum, Tartu)
Curriculum: Art History and Visual Culture
2018
Varvara Guljajeva, From Interaction to Post-participation: The Disappearing Role of the Active Participant (Interaktsioonist osalusjärgsuseni. Aktiivse osaleja kaduv roll)
Supervisors: Dr. Raivo Kelomees, Dr. Pau Waelder (The Open University of Catalonia). Opponent: Prof. Christa Sommerer (University of Art and Design Linz)
Curriculum: Art and Design
Ülo Pikkov, Anti-Animation: Textures of Eastern European Animated Film (Anti-animatsioon, Ida-Euroopa animatsioonfilmi eripära)
Supervisor: Dr. Raivo Kelomees. Opponent: Prof. Robert Sowa (Academy of Fine Arts, Krakow)
Curriculum: Art and Design
2017
Fideelia-Signe Roots, Naine kui kangelane (Woman as a Hero)
Supervisors: Dr. Tiina Ann Kirss (Estonia), Prof. Katrin Kivimaa. Consultant: Marko Mäetamm, MA (Tallinn). Opponent: Dr. Eve Annuk (Estonian Literary Museum, Tartu)
Curriculum: Art and Design
Erki Kasemets, Väljaspool tavalist: pidu, prügi ja polügoonteater. Brikolaaž kui loome- ja uurimisviis (Outside the Ordinary: Party, Garbage and Polygon Theatre. Bricolage as a Creative and Research Method)
Supervisors: Dr. Juha Varto (Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Helsinki), Dr. Aili Aarelaid-Tart (Tallinn University), Dr. Liina Unt. Opponent: dr Luule Epner (University of Tartu)
Curriculum: Art and Design
Tüüne-Kristin Vaikla, Re-purposing Space: The Role and Potential of Spatial Intervention (Ruumi ümbermõtestamine. Ruumilise sekkumise roll ja võimalus)
Supervisors: Prof. Ranulph Glanville (Royal College of Art, London), Prof. Mart Kalm. Opponent: Prof. Morten Lund (Chalmers University of Technology)
Curriculum: Art and Design
2016
Elnara Taidre, Mudel, metafoor, mäng. Omamütoloogiline tervikkunstiteos visuaalkunstis 20. sajandi paradigmavahetuse kontekstis (Model, Metaphor, Play: The Total Mythological Work of Art in the Context of Paradigm Shift in the 20th Century)
Supervisor: Dr. Virve Sarapik. Opponent: Dr. Tiina Kirss (University of Tartu)
Curriculum: Art History and Visual Culture. * 2nd prize at the 2017 Estonian National Contest for University Students, organized by the Estonian Research Council together with the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
Carla Castiajo, Purity or Promiscuity? Exploring Hair as a Raw Material in Jewellery and Art (Puhtus ja promiskuiteet. Uurimus juustest kui materjalist kunstis ja ehtekunstis)
Supervisors: Prof. Kadri Mälk, Prof emer. Robert Baines (RMIT University, Melbourne). Opponent: Dr. Ana Campos (Portugal)
Curriculum: Art and Design. *1st prize at the 2017 Estonian National Contest for University Students, organized by the Estonian Research Council together with the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
Indrek Rünkla, Arhitektuursest mõtlemisest: seostest tunnetuslike ja ühiskondlike konstruktsioonide vahel arhitektuuri praktika näitel (Architectural Way of Thinking: About the Connections Between Social and Cognitive Structures in the Practice of Architecture)
Supervisors: Dr Margus Vihalem (Tallinn University), Dr. Clarissa Moreira (Fluminense Federal University, Brazil). Opponent: Dr. Margus Ott (Tallinn University)
Curriculum: Art History and Visual Culture. * EKA academic publication award 2016
2015
Piibe Piirma, Hybrid Practices: Art and Science in Artistic Research (Hübriidsed praktikad. Kunst ja teadus loomepõhises uurimistöös)
Supervisor: Dr. Andi Hektor (University of Tartu). Consultant: Dr. Veronika Valk. Opponent: Dr. Rasa Smite (RixC, Liepaja University)
Curriculum: Art and Design
Stacey May Koosel, The Renegotiated Self: Social Media’s Effects on Identity (Ümberkujundatud mina. Sotsiaalmeedia mõju identiteedile)
Supervisor: Dr. Raivo Kelomees. Opponent: Prof. Mauri Kaipainen (Södertörn University)
Curriculum: Art and Design
2014
Epp Lankots, Moodsa arhitektuuri kriitiline historiograafia. Modernsuse käsitlused Leo Gensi ja Leonhard Lapini arhitektuuriajaloolistes tekstides 1960.–1980. aastail (Critical Historiography of Modern Architecture: Narrating Modernity in the Architectural Histories of Leo Gens and Leonhard Lapin in the 1960s–1980s)
Supervisor: Prof. Mart Kalm. Opponent: Dr. Marek Tamm (Tallinn University)
Curriculum: Art History and Visual Culture. * Annual award 2015 of the Architecture Endowment of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia for architecture-related activity
Andres Kurg, Boundary Disruptions: Late-Soviet Transformations in Art, Space and Subjectivity in Tallinn 1968–1979 (Segilöödud piirid. Hilisnõukogude muutused kunstis, ruumis ja subjektsuses Tallinnas aastatel 1968–1979)
Supervisor: Prof. Katrin Kivimaa. Opponent: Prof. Malcolm Miles (Plymouth University)
Curriculum: Art History and Visual Culture. * Annual award 2015 of the Architecture Endowment of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia for architecture-related activity
2013
Kadri Kallaste, Preservation of Wallpapers as Parts of Interiors: Addressing Issues of Wallpaper Conservation on the Basis of Projects Carried Out in Austria, Estonia and Romania (Ajalooliste tapeetide säilitamine interjööris. Ajalooliste tapeetide konserveerimise problemaatika käsitlus Austrias, Eestis ja Rumeenias läbiviidud projektide põhjal)
Supervisors: Prof. Krista Kodres, Markus Krön, MA (Institut für Papier-Restaurierung, Schloss Schönbrunn, Wien). Opponent: Prof. emer. Anne van Grevenstein-Kruse (University of Amsterdam)
Curriculum: Cultural Heritage and Conservation
Kärt Ojavee, Active Smart Interior Textiles: Interactive Soft Displays (Nutitekstiilid interjööris. Aeglaselt muutuvad pehmed ekraanid)
Supervisor: Prof. Maarja Kruusmaa (Tallinn University of Technology). Opponent: prof dr Thomas Hollstein (Tallinn University of Technology)
Curriculum: Art and Design
Sirje Helme, Sõjajärgse modernismi ja avangardi probleeme Eesti kunstis (Problems of Post-War Modernism and Avant-Garde in Estonian Art)
Supervisor: Prof. emer. Jaak Kangilaski (University of Tartu). Opponent: Dr. Lolita Jablonskienė (National Gallery of Art, Vilnius)
Curriculum: Art History
2012
Liina Keevallik, La Figure Visuelle des Arts Joues. Ses Rapports au Mythe. Une Recherche sur la Création de Figures Cinématigraphiques par des Moyens Mythologiques (Visuaalne kujund mängulistes kunstides ja selle seosed müüdiga. Uurimus filmikujundite loomisest mütoloogilisel teel)
Supervisors: Prof. David Vseviov, Prof. emer. Claude Amey (France). Opponents: Hasso Krull, MSc (Tallinn University), Prof. Kristian Feigelson (Université Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris 3)
Defended at Université Paris 8 according to a bilateral agreement
Urve Sinijärv, Kunst ja loodus pargis. Kujunduslike ja liigikaitseliste eesmärkide ühendamine parkide restaureerimisel ja hooldamisel Saare maakonna looduskaitsealuste parkide näitel (Art and Nature in Parks: Combining Design Objectives and Biodiversity Conservation Objectives in Park Restoration and Maintenance on the Basis of Case Studies of Protected Parks in Saare County)
Supervisor: Prof. Juhan Maiste (University of Tartu). Consultants: Dr. Jaan Liira (University of Tartu), Dr. Merit Otsus (Estonian Ministry of the Environment, Tallinn). Opponent: Prof. Kalev Sepp (Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu)
Curriculum: Cultural Heritage and Conservation
Riin Alatalu, Muinuskaitse siirdeühiskonnas 1986–2002. Rahvuslikust südametunnistusest Eesti NSV-s omaniku ahistajaks Eesti Vabariigis (Heritage Protection in Transitional Society 1986–2002: From Nation’s Conscience in the Estonian SSR into the Harasser of Private Owner in the Republic of Estonia)
Supervisor: Prof. Mart Kalm. Opponent: Dr. Tamás Fejérdy (Hungary)
Curriculum: Cultural Heritage and Conservation
Hilkka Hiiop, Nüüdiskunst muuseumis: kuidas säilitada mittesäilivat? Eesti kunstimuuseumi nüüdiskunsti kogude säilitamise strateegia ning meetod (Contemporary Art in the Museum: How to Preserve the Ephemeral? The Preservation Strategy and Methods of the Contemporary Art Collection of the Art Museum of Estonia)
Supervisors: Dr. Anneli Randla, Sirje Helme, MA (Art Museum of Estonia, Tallinn). Opponent: Dr. Heie Treier (Tallinn University)
Curriculum: Cultural Heritage and Conservation. * 1st prize at the 2013 Estonian National Contest for University Students, organized by the Estonian Research Council together with the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
Ivar Sakk, Monograafia “Aa kuni Zz. Tüpograafia ülevaatlik ajalugu” kontseptualiseerimine (Conceptualization of the Monograph “From Aa to Zz. The Concise History of Typography”)
Supervisor: Prof. Mart Kalm. Opponent: Dr. Marcel Benčík (Academy of Fine Arts and Design, Bratislava)
Curriculum: Art and Design. * The book “Aa kuni Zz. Tüpograafia ülevaatlik ajalugu” was awarded the 3rd prize at the contest Best Book Design From All Over The World 2013
2011
Reet Aus, Trash to Trend – Upcycling in Fashion Design (summary in Estonian)
Supervisor: Dr. Harri Moora (Stockholm Environment Institute). Opponent: Dr. Joan Farrer (University of Portsmouth)
Curriculum: Art and Design
Eva Näripea, Estonian Cinescapes: Spaces, Places and Sites in Soviet Estonian Cinema (and Beyond) (Eesti filmimaastikud. Ruumid, kohad ja paigad Nõukogude Eesti filmikunstis (ning edaspidi))
Supervisors: Prof. Virve Sarapik, Prof. Mart Kalm. Opponent: Prof. Ewa Mazierska (University of Central Lancashire, Preston)
Curriculum: Art History
2010
Tiina-Mall Kreem, Viisipäraselt ehitatud. Luterlik kirikuehitus, -arhitektuur ja -kunst Eestis Aleksander II ajal (1855–1881) (Kirchenbau, Kirchenarchitektur und Kirchenkunst des Luthertums in Estland während der Zeit Alexanders II (1855–1881))
Supervisor: Prof. Krista Kodres. Opponent: Dr. Karin Hallas-Murula (Museum of Estonian Architecture, Tallinn)
Curriculum: Art History. * Grand prize at the 2011 Estonian National Contest for University Students, organized by the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research together with the Archimedes Foundation
Lilian Hansar, Linnast muinsuskaitsealaks. Linnehituslike struktuuride muutused Eesti väikelinnades 13.–20.sajandil (From Town to Heritage Conservation Area: Transformation of Town Structures in Estonian Small Towns from the 13th to 20th Century)
Supervisor: Dr. Kaia Lehari. Consultant: Kaur Alttoa, MA (University of Tartu). Opponent: Dr. Juhan Maiste (University of Tartu)
Curriculum: Cultural Heritage and Conservation
2009
Raivo Kelomees, Postmateriaalsus kunstis. Indeterministlik kunstipraktika ja mittemateriaalne kunst (Postmateriality in Art: Indeterministic Art Practices and Non-Material Art)
Supervisor: Prof. Virve Sarapik. Opponent: Dr. Mari Laanemets (Germany)
Curriculum: Art History
2007
Pia Ehasalu, Rootsiaegne maalikunst Tallinnas (1561–1710). Produktsioon ja retseptsioon (Painting in Tallinn during the Swedish Period (1561–1710): Production and Reception)
Supervisor: Prof. Krista Kodres. Opponent: Dr. Inga Lena Ångström Grandien (Stockholm)
Curriculum: Art History
2004
Heie Treier, Kohalik modernsus kunstis. Eesti varamodernistliku kunsti teoreetiline ja ajalooline kontseptualiseerimine ning Karl Pärsimägi paradigmaleidmise perioodil (Local Modernity in Art: The Theoretical and Historical Conceptualisation of Early Estonian Modernist Art and Karl Pärsimägi in the Period of Finding the Paradigm)
Supervisor: Dr. Thomas McEvilley (USA). Opponent: Prof. emer. Jaak Kangilaski (University of Tartu)
Curriculum: Art History
2003
Ants Juske, Ümberpööratud perspektiivi kulturoloogilised, semiootilised ja tajupsühholoogilised tekkemehhanismid (summary in English)
Supervisor: Prof. emer. Boris Bernstein (USA). Opponents: Prof. Peeter Tulviste (Estonian Academy of Sciences, Tallinn), Dr. Altti Kuusamo (University of Helsinki)
Curriculum: Art History
1999
Krista Kodres, Tallinlane ja tema maja. Jõuka Tallinna kodaniku elamu ca 1600–1770. Maja, planeering, kaunistused ja sisustus (The Burgher of Tallinn and His Dwelling, ca 1600–1750: House, Plan, Decoration and Furnishings)
Opponents: Prof. Lars Olaf Larsson (Sweden), Prof. Juhan Maiste
Curriculum: Art History
1998
Mart Kalm, Arhitektuurikultuuri kujunemisest Eestis 1918–1940 (Formation of Architecture Culture in Estonia in 1918–1940)
Opponents: Prof. Riitta Nikula (University of Helsinki), Prof. Leo Gens
Curriculum: Art History
1995
Juhan Maiste, Klassikaline suund Eesti ehituskunstis 1530–1830. Stiil ja traditsioon (Classical ideal in Estonian architecture, 1530–1830: Style and Reception)
Opponents: Dr. Ea Jansen (Tallinn), Dr. Pekka Korvenmaa (Helsinki)
Curriculum: Art History
Rein Zobel, Tallinn ja tema keskaegsed kindlustused. Linnaehituslik ja arhitektuuriline areng läbi kaheksa sajandi (summary in German)
Opponents: Prof. emer. Evald Tõnisson (University of Tartu), Dr. Raimo Pullat (Tallinn Pedagogical University)
Curriculum: Art History
