The 9th Artishok Biennial, taking place from 20 February to April 20, will once again bring together ten artists and ten writers to kindle both the art field and art writing. This time the selection of participants is more locally focused, but the event itself offers a broader scope, presenting more time to engage with the works as well as greater diversity in the art-activated sites.
During the opening marathon of Artishok, which spans February and March, ten artists will present new works created for the biennial, while the texts simultaneously written about them will altogether offer a hundred different perspectives for interpretation. Multifaceted writers have been called to reflect on the site-specific artworks, bringing together various interests and approaches.
“Although Siesta is not a themed exhibition, a similar fluctuation inevitably emerges in the artists’ works – humorous approaches, DIY aesthetics, the reuse of materials and ideas, and an interest in capturing spatial in-betweenness stand out,” remark Brigit Arop and Margit Säde, the curators of the 9th Artishok Biennial. Visitors to the biennial will encounter artworks in many diverse forms, including the opportunity to go on a journey through the city space with an artist, to ride an elevator transformed into an installation at the Tallinn University of Technology, and to listen to an artist’s musings and songs through a telephone receiver.
Kaader teosest „Pöördepunktid“ / Still from Pivotal Points, Alana Proosa, 2025
The artists of the 9th Artishok Biennial are: Anu Juurak, Alana Proosa, Lieven Lahaye, Kaisa Ling, Reigo Nahksepp, stuudio kollektiiv, Ulvi Haagensen, Gary Markle, Artjom Astrov and Hanna Samoson.
The writers of the 9th Artishok Biennial are: Eva and Mia, Janar Ala, Kolkaplika, Linda Kaljundi, Maria Esko, Merle Karro-Kalberg, Mia Maria Rohumaa, Oliver Issak, Sanna Kartau and Tõnis Kahu.
The opening marathon of the artworks of the 9th Artishok Biennial:
20–28 February 2025
15–28 March 2025
Opening schedule:
Thu, 20.02 at 19.00, Vanaturu kael 3: ARTJOM ASTROV, and at 20.30 live concerts (Kisling and Artjom Astrov).
Sat, 22.02 at 16.00, A. Laikmaa tunnel: LIEVEN LAHAYE.
Tue, 25.02 at 21.00, Opening journey of ALANA PROOSA’s work. Registration required! More info here.
Fri, 28.02 at 17.00, Elevator of the SOC building of Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 3 lobby: ANU JUURAK.
Siesta, 1–14 March 2025.
Sat, 15.03 at 16.00, sea platform behind Tallinna Linnahall: GARY MARKLE.
Mon, 17.03 at 18.00, Liivalaia 5: HANNA SAMOSON.
Wed, 19.03 at 18.00, Sõpruse 263a, pedestrian street between the ‘Ehitajate tee’ and ‘Tehnikaülikool’ bus stops: REIGO NAHKSEPP.
Sat, 22.03 at 16.00, booth K169 at the Keskturg market: ULVI HAAGENSEN.
Tue, 25.03 at 18.00, Võrgu 8 (entry from Kalaranna St): STUUDIO KOLLEKTIIV.
Fri, 28.03 at 13.00, Liivalaia Uuskasutuskeskus, and at 21.00 live performance (location TBA): KAISA LING.
The artworks can be visited until the end of the biennial. / Except for Artjom Astrov’s work, which can only be seen during 20.02–30.03.2025, and Alana Proosa’s work, which will take place five times during the biennial.
Information for visiting the artworks:
Lieven Lahaye […] kept in private, Making it public. A. Laikmaa tunnel, every day 05.00–00.00.
Alana Proosa Pivotal Points. Last performances! 04.04 and 19.04, from 21.00, various starting points. Prior registration and additional info: https://fienta.com/et/alana-proosa-videorannak.
Anu Juurak Lift. Experiment. The elevator of the School of Business and Governance building (SOC, Akadeemia Street 3 lobby) at Tallinn University of Technology, Mon–Sat, 07.00–22.00.
Gary Markle Life Raft. The sea-level platform at the rear of Tallinna Linnahall, every day 24/7.
Hanna Samoson How to Find the Lion That Has Swallowed You?. Liivalaia 5, Tue–Sat, 15.00–20.00.
Reigo Nahksepp Pucklers. The pedestrian street between the “Ehitajate tee” and “Tehnikaülikool” bus stops (Sõpruse 263a), every day 24/7.
Ulvi Haagensen Practical Follies and Fancies for the Everyday Gardener. Keskturg market (booth K169), every day 08.00–18.00 (opening hours vary during holidays).
stuudio kollektiiv Ashcape. Võrgu 8 (entrance from the side of Kalaranna Street), every day 24/7.
Kaisa Ling Kaisa Ling Ring Ring. Liivalaia Uuskasutuskeskus reuse centre (Liivalaia 29), Mon–Fri 10.00–18.00, Sat 10.00–16.00 (opening hours vary during holidays).
Artjom Astrov JUICE. Vanaturu kael 3. (Already closed!)
Read more about the artists and writers on Artishok’s updated website, designed by Fatima-Ezzahra El Khammas, graphic design MA student at the Estonian Academy of Arts.
The detailed schedule for the biennial will be announced soon!
The 9th Artishok Biennial is organised by:
Curators: Brigit Arop and Margit Säde
Curators’ assistant: Laura Kell
Graphic design: Ran-Re Reimann
Technical support and installing: Dream Team
Updated website: Fatima-Ezzahra El Khammas
Proofreading: Annika Toots, Dan O’Connell, Margus Enno
Translators: Mari Volens, Maris Karjatse, Martin Rünk, Tõnis Jürgens
