The 8th edition of the international contemporary art biennial Tallinn Photomonth opens on 5 September and runs until 31 October. The four main exhibitions of the biennial include solo shows by acclaimed Estonian artists, an international public space exhibition, and a new collaborative project between Estonian and Finnish photographic artists. In addition, the satellite programme presents 14 diverse exhibitions in Tallinn, Tartu and Viljandi.
The opening exhibition of Photomonth is Tanja Muravskaja’s solo exhibition Gardens: Tanja Muravskaja and Light that will open on 5 September in the historic Saarinen House. Tanja Muravskaja’s photo series Gardens explores the lines between reality and image, while using water as a means of looking. The sea is not seen here as a mere motif – as it is – but instead the artist transmutes its form, whereas the visible is shaped by light and time. Thus, water ceases to be an illustration and becomes an experience that is both material and visual, interfering with the viewer’s memory, time, and internal states. The exhibition is designed by the artist Jevgeni Zolotko and the exhibition consultant is art historian Elnara Taidre.
On the same day, 5 September, the international urban space exhibition Shaping the Unclaimed opens in seven locations around the Kaubamaja department store’s intersection. In an urban environment saturated with an overwhelming amount of stimuli, the project seeks ways in which art can offer moments of relief and open new perspectives on what we see and experience daily. Six site-specific works will intervene with the urban space on multiple levels, turning up both on the usual walking paths as well as in places that tend to be overlooked. Artists participating in the urban space exhibition: Elo Vahtrik (EE), Eva Stenram (SE/GB), Giovanna Petrocchi (IT), Mare Tralla (EE), Mia Dudek (PL) and Sigrid Viir (EE). The exhibition is curated by: Kati Ots (EE) and Trine Stephensen (NO).
The third exhibition of the main programme, the group exhibition of Estonian and Finnish photographic artists just juuri nüüd nyt, opens on 25 September in parallel at Hobusepea and FOKU galleries. The exhibited works reflect an interrogation of what photography is, not just technically, but also culturally, emotionally, and politically. Some artists dismantle the image to explore its components; others hybridize photography with sculpture or text. Across the board, there’s a restlessness, a desire to move past the image as mere representation, toward something more layered, more alive.
Artists participating in the exhibition are Andre Joosep Arming, Cloe Jancis, Karel Koplimets, Kristina Õllek and Maria Kapajeva from Estonia, and Andrey Bogush, Karl Ketamo, Maija Tammi, Noora Geagea and Saara Ekström from Finland. The exhibition is curated by Hertta Kiiski (FI) and has been initiated by the professional associations of the two countries – the Estonian Union of Photography Artists (FOKU) and the Finnish Association of Photographic Artists (VTL).
The fourth exhibition of the main programme opens on 11 October at Kai Art Center: Sirje Runge’s solo exhibition On Fragile Grounds. Sirje Runge and Light, tracing the artist’s engagement with light, colour and perception. Centering fragility as both a conceptual and material lens, this exhibition invites viewers to inhabit the liminal space of matter and thought, light and shadow, creation and dissolution. Runge reminds us that the force of art often lies in its ability to hold contradictions, embrace impermanence, and transmute the fleeting into something enduring. The exhibition is curated by Mėta Valiušaitytė (FR/LT).
In addition to the main programme, Tallinn Photomonth features a public programme and a satellite programme of 14 exhibitions. Several key exhibition venues in Tallinn are taking part, including Kumu Art Museum, Fotografiska Tallinn and the Juhan Kuus Documentary Photo Centre, as well as renowned galleries such as Draakoni, Positiiv, Punctum, Vabaduse, FOKU and Seek. Beyond Tallinn, the programme extends to Kogo Gallery in Tartu and Rüki Gallery in Viljandi.
Discover the full programme of Tallinn Photomonth, opening weekend events and participating artists at fotokuu.ee. The official information point of the biennial is FOKU Gallery (Väike-Karja 10).
Artistic director of the 8th Tallinn Photomonth: Kulla Laas
Project manager: Liisi Kõuhkna
Communication manager: Marion Leetmaa
International communication coordinator: Alexia Menikou
Graphic designer: Kert Viiart-Õllek
Web development: Oliver Udeküll
Translator: Mari Volens
Language editors: Anu Nurk, Refiner Translations
Main Supporters: Cultural Endowment of Estonia, City of Tallinn.
Partners and Supporters: Kai Art Center, Estonian Artists’ Association, Finnish Association of Photographic Artists (VTL), Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonian Contemporary Art Development Center, Estonian Centre for Contemporary Art, Artproof OÜ, Tallinn Urban Environment and Public Works Department, Merko Ehitus AS, Viru Keskus AS, Saarinen House, Digiposter OÜ, TKM Kinnisvara AS, GOclinic OÜ, Hestia Hotel Barons, DSV Estonia AS, Gonsiori 13 apartment association, Gonsiori 3 apartment association, photography magazine Positiiv, Rannaauto KB OÜ, Trage OÜ, Eckerö Line Ab Oy, Estconde Invest OÜ.
Thanks to: Hedi Jaansoo, FOKU advisory board, Juss Heinsalu, Laur Kivistik, Anna and Vladimir Loginov, Taavi Rekkaro, Johannes Luik, Markus Emmott, Mare Mikof, Johanna Jolen Kuzmenko, Ave Habakuk, Tina Hanssen (Buskerud Kunstsenter), Marten Esko, Marina Rusakova, Anna Niskanen, Henna Harri, Anna Airaksinen, Anna Mustonen, Margus Soa.
The main organiser of Tallinn Photomonth is the Estonian Union of Photography Artists (FOKU).
Additional info:
Marion Leetmaa
press@fotokuu.ee
+372 588 55 231