LOADING… 100% is an exhibition project by second year master’s students at the Estonian Academy of Arts. It is an exhibition of work by young artists who will soon be “ready” (i.e. “loaded” with everything in and around them) to step out into the art scene as independent creators. The exhibition brings together the work of Fine Arts master’s students at the EAA working in printmaking, painting, sculpture and installation, photography and new media. The project openly and creatively incorporates the use of various media and approaches – free and/or harassed by choices – and provides an honest and open picture of the current position and directions in art education at the 100-year-old Estonian Academy of Arts (EAA). The exhibition, with freedom as its only imperative, provides a glimpse inside the EAA and reveals to the public the thought processes and working methods of the young artists.
Tallinn alone should not be considered the only birthplace of the EAA. The roots of the Faculty of Fine Art lie primarily in Tartu, and on the occasion of the 100th anniversary, the final year master’s students of the faculty wish to pay homage to Tartu. A tree that loses connection with its roots shall fall. Furthermore, it is certainly a test of “self”, in front of and within the university town, with its calm rhythm, greenery, Pallas-school quality, liberality and humour; a study of how the two art centres differ in regard to young art – what are the differences and similarities. In a certain uncanny sense it is also like a response to the Tartu exhibition held in Tallinn titled “Väljasõit rohelusse. Tartu 1860 – 2014” ( Excursion into the green). The exhibition does not have a direct theme expressed as a narrative, but the work of these young artists provides them with an opportunity to experiment and present a reflection of reality (or interpretation), based on their surroundings, inner feelings and collective fears, technical perfection or lack of, and the chaos and order within each of us. The participants consider creative freedom and connection with the viewer to be of utmost importance. They have the opportunity to make direct contact with the viewer and receive real feedback – the exhibition is accompanied by a public programme in the form of an “artist walk”, where each artist talks about their work and the viewers are able to talk directly with them. This programme will be interesting and contemplative for the art viewer, and also instructive for those who are considering a career in art or have just begun. The preparation for this exhibition was a supervised process under the guidance of the dean of the Faculty of Fine Art at the Estonian Academy of Arts, professor Andres Tali. In addition, visiting curators and consultants were also included in the process. During the preparatory process all the participants are involved in the processes that accompany a large exhibition such as this.
The exhibition is open from 12 January (opening 16 January) to 8 February 2015. The exhibition spaces that will be used include the ground floor galleries, the gallery for large-scale work and the rooms on the first floor.
Participants are second year MA art students at the EAA who will be graduating in spring 2015: Indrek Aavik, Eldar Jakubov, Edgar Juhkov, Mikk Jäger, Kaarel Kütas, Katarina Meister, Ats Nukki, Alina Orav, Deniss Orlov, Sven Parker, Kadri Pihlakas, Hanna Piksarv, Mari Prekup, Ede Raadik, Kaspar Tamsalu, Aap Tepper, Mari Volens, Kristina Õllek.
