The XXIII season of the Kohila Symposium will start with a bright flame and take place on 09.07-31.07.2023. GRAND FINALE 29.07 at 19:00!
The aim of the symposium is to encourage international exchange in the field of ceramics, to strengthen the appreciation and understanding of wood firing techniques, and to create an interdisciplinary approach to collaboration. For the last two years, we have held symposiums on special topics, which sparks up the contact network and collaboration between artists. We include an artist in the group of ceramicists whose task is to relate to the creative processes and firings on site. In 2021 the theme was light, in 2022 word.
The theme for 2023 is clay and politics. Evi Pärn, an artist with a political nerve, creates her independent artwork from a political perspective during the residency and curates the joint exhibition of the symposium.
The artists participating in the symposium are Eyvind Solli Andreassen (NO), Dori Schechtel Zanger (IL), Darta Berkmane (LV), Irene Zenonos (CY), Mingaile Mikelenaite (LT), Niko Mankinen and Mira Niittymäki (FI), Rita Badilla-Gudino (PH) and Katarzyna Misciur (PL).
This year the fire sculpture will be built by artist Aigi Orav and Külli Kõiv.
Come and take part in our public program! It is possible to get acquainted with the artists’ previous work at the artist talk. We are also waiting for you to visit us on the day of open studios, when you can see masterpieces in process. The end of the symposium offers a pleasant weekend for the whole family, when there is an entire evening of exploration: the opening of the exhibition, a concert by Marten Kuningas, a fire show and the opening of the fire sculpture. There will be a food stand at the closing ceremony. A free bus from Tallinn brings and takes you there.
Public events at the Tohisoo manor:
15.07 Artist talk at 14:00
21.07 Open Studios at 14:00
29.07 GRAND FINALE 19:00
19:00 opening words
20:00 opening the exhibition, guided tour
21:00 concert by Marten Kuningas
22:20 Fireshow
22:30 Fire Sculpture opening
For 29.07 Tln-Kohila Sümpoosion-Tln bus registration send an e-mail with your contact information to eviparn@kohilasymposium.com
The bus leaves from Mere pst 5, Tallinn at 18:00. The same bus will return from Tohisoo manor at 23:00. The bus is for free.
The project is led by Lumi Kristin Vihterpal and Jekaterina Kultajeva. Members of the symposium include kiln master Andres Allik, assistants Kris Ojasuu and Joonas Parve, public program and youth program coordinator Merike Hallik, photographer Annika Haas, media and communication specialist Evi Pärn, project consultants Juss Heinsalu, volunteers Cristopher Siniväli, Kaupo Holmberg and Efy Zeniou.
XXIII Kohila Symposium is made possible with the help of our supporters and partners Estonian Cultural Endowment, Estonian Centre of Folk Culture, Development Fund of Rapla County Local Governments, Kohila Township, Estonian Academy of Arts (Ceramics Department), OÜ Kerako, Kohila School of Arts, Kohila Open Youth Center, Asuurkeraamika OÜ, Vabakond MTÜ, MTÜ Kohila Paberivabrik, Estonian Ceramists Association. Thank you for making it happen!
