Exhibition
Enter Woodland Spirits
International technological art exhibition in Tartu
at the Estonian Literary Museum and the University of Tartu Natural History Museum building
29 June – 25 August 2024, opening on 28 June at 17:00.
The exhibition Enter Woodland Spirits together with our new online anthology Estonian Nature Folklore is part of the main programme of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024.
THE EXHIBITION
The international technological art exhibition Enter Woodland Spirits explores how technology-driven art can revive the wisdom of folklore and make the essence of nature tangible and perceptible.
The nearly 20 participating artists from the Nordic and Baltic countries embrace the essence and reverence for nature in their work.
The participating artists are: Bryndís Björnsdóttir, Þorsteinn Eyfjörð from Iceland, Oskar Koliander from Denmark, Tori Wrånes, Ingrid Torvund and Jonas Mailand from Norway, Hans Rosenström, Niskanen & Salo in collaboration with Inkeri Aula, Pia Sirén, Nastja Säde Rönkkö from Finland, Linda Boļšakova, ART+ from Latvia and Norman Orro and Joonas Timmi, Zody Burke, Johannes Luik, Emer Värk, Roman-Sten Tõnissoo, Mari-Leen Kiipli from Estonia.
The exhibition is a journey through two neighboring historical buildings – the Estonian Literary Museum and the University of Tartu Natural History Museum building. Site-specific installations can be found starting from the biggest University of Tartu auditorium to a mysterious attic of the Literary Museum.
ONLINE ANTHOLOGY
The roots of the exhibition are in our newly created online anthology Estonian Nature Folklore that gives prominence to the rich collections of folklore and their significance from an ecological point of view. We introduce the attitude towards nature among the people in the Nordic region and the forest zone. There, both the utilitarian and sustaining aspects are evident, and a contract-like relationship with nature manifests, where also humans have responsibilities.
This website offers a selection of nature folklore from Southern Estonia in the local languages of Võro, Seto, Tartu, Mulgi, and translations into Estonian and English with added commentaries. In the selection, we find folk songs, tales, images and audio-visual recordings from the Estonian Folklore Archive of the Estonian Literature Museum. The anthology is intended to be used by everyone and to be updated continuously.
SUPPORTERS
The exhibition is supported by the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024, Nordisk Kulturfond, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Frame Contemporary Art Finland, OCA Norway (the Office for Contemporary Art Norway), the Danish Arts Foundation, the Nordic-Baltic mobility program for culture, ECOC 2024 Duo Networking project / EEA and Norway Grants, Icelandic Visual Arts Fund, Icelandic Artists’ Salary Fund, The Finnish Cultural Foundation, The Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike), Upgreat, A. Le Coq, Estonian Academy of Arts.
Thanks to: Reet Mägi, Triin Lett, Argo Pentsa, Triin Pikk, Aleksandr Fadeev, Merike Kiipus, Krista Ojasaar, Peeter Talvistu, Dan O’Connell, Mathilda Matjus, Maarja Villandi-Reiljan, Urmas Kalla, Andreas Kalkun ,Craig Rawlings, Kai Veispak-Rawlings, Les Wilson, Adam Cullen, Merike Tigas, Päiv Dengo, Mall Hiiemäe, Risto Järv, Janika Oras, Janno Simm, Astrid Tuisk, Tiina Gill; Getter Lauk, Helen Kõmmus, Natali Ponetajev.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Exhibition is open from 29 June until 25 August (except 20 Aug)
Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–18:00.
Free entrance!
NB! Exhibition is taking place at two locations: at the Estonian Literary Museum (Vanemuise 42) and the University of Tartu Natural History Museum building (Vanemuise 46).
If possible, come by bike or by foot.
We recommend taking 2 hours for the visit – there are many video and sound works.
The event is partially accessible for guests with limited mobility and is welcoming to families with small children. The exhibition is partially wheelchair accessible only with the attendant. There is an accessible toilet on premises.
Please be respectful towards artworks and do not touch them. Be careful with the moving parts of the exhibition.
There is video surveillance on the premises.
ORGANISERS AND CONTACTS
Concept and organising by: Henri Hütt, Evelyn Raudsepp, Taive Särg, Ave Goršič
Initiated and produced by: Estonian Literary Museum
Technical implementation and web design of the anthology: Ilona Kolossova
Exhibition graphic design: Margus Tamm
Exhibition team: Johannes Säre, Erik Liiv, Hans-Otto Ojaste, Mihkel Säre, Urmo Teekivi, Madis Kurss, Stella Mõttus, Heidi-Maarja Melts, Margus Peet, Jaan Tamm, Jüri Rui, Karin Kahre
Additional info from Evelyn Raudsepp at evelynraudsepp@gmail.com