Photo reportage from the exhibition 'Letters from a foreign mind' at EKKM

July 20, 2021
Author Echo Gone Wrong

The exhibition “Letters from a foreign mind” has been shaped by both the internal and external changes EKKM has undergone in the past year and a half, as well as contemplating on what is valued in our society and themes like scarcity, neglect and care. What is remembered, what is forgotten and what gets written into art history?

The building of EKKM has seen countless repairs and spatial renovations during its lifetime but is nevertheless tired and slowly crumbling. The physical and symbolic cracks are the subject matter and the habitat for artistic ideas, for visitors’ memories, its employees’ proposals, an abundance of dust and material legacy that has been left behind.

This is an exhibition on growth. Growing up, growing larger, growing anew. Change – distant and inviting – gently glows from afar but with enough focus and patience, it will begin shaping itself into something more familiar and become slightly clearer.

As a prologue to the exhibition, EKKM established a community garden in its backyard last spring, allowing to explore the openness and the wider use of space within the institution. The desire to open areas that are not in practical or artistic use is even more significant now that the surrounding garages have recently been demolished. The lost ancillary spaces have brought on a temporary shortage of space, which is, nevertheless, extending a hand toward the changes that will follow soon.

The exhibition is accompanied by a publication by the same name in English and Estonian, published by EKKM and Lugemik.

Letters from a foreign mind
5.06–18.07.2021
Artists: Camel Collective, Cloe Jancis, Hana Miletić, Karl Pärsimägi, Killu Sukmit, Diana Tamane, Pille-Riin Vihtre, Asta Vender
Curator: Laura Toots
Curatorial Assistant: Anna-Liisa Purge
Graphic Designer: Kersti Heile
Architects: Laura Linsi & Roland Reemaa
Technical team: Dénes Farkas, Madis Kurss, Hans-Otto Ojaste, Kerli Praks, Taavi Suisalu, Johannes Säre
Education programme: Anna Kaarma, Liisa Kivi, Anastassia Langinen

Supporters: Estonian Ministry of Culture, Cultural Endowment of Estonia, National Heritage Board of Estonia, City of Tallinn, Akzo Nobel Baltics AS

Letters from a foreign mind at EKKM, exhibition view. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Letters from a foreign mind at EKKM, exhibition view. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Letters from a foreign mind at EKKM, exhibition view. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Diana Tamane & Tatjana Burbo, Within Arm’s Reach, 2020.
Pen, pencil, marker on paper. Installation view at EKKM. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Diana Tamane & Tatjana Burbo, Within Arm’s Reach, 2020.
Pen, pencil, marker on paper. Installation view at EKKM. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Killu Sukmit, Artist and Her Work. Artist’s Aprons, 2021.
Embroidery on ready-made aprons. Installation view at EKKM. Photo: Paul Kuimet

The catalogue of Letters from a foreign mind containing photo series 255 Depictions by Pille-Riin Vihtre. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Letters from a foreign mind at EKKM, exhibition view. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Hana Miletić, from the series Materials, 2020.
Hand-woven textile. Installation view at EKKM. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Asta Vender, illustrations for Lilli Promet’s book „Kuningal on häda“ (King’s Woe), 1988.
Pencil, watercolour, gouache on paper. Installation view at EKKM. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Asta Vender, illustrations for Lilli Promet’s book „Kuningal on häda“ (King’s Woe), 1988.
Pencil, watercolour, gouache on paper. Installation view at EKKM. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Asta Vender, illustrations for Harri Jõgisalu’s book „Nõiatud allikas“ (Enchanted Spring), 1973.
Ink on paper. Installation view at EKKM. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Cloe Jancis, In Process, 2018-…
Inkjet print on aluminium and wood. Installation view at EKKM. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Cloe Jancis, Flower, from the series In Process, 2018-…
Inkjet print on aluminium and wood. Installation view at EKKM. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Camel Collective, The Distance from Pontresina to Zermatt Is the Same as the Distance from Zermatt to Pontresina, 2017.
2-channel HD video, colour, 5.1 sound. Installation view at EKKM. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Letters from a foreign mind at EKKM, exhibition view. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Letters from a foreign mind at EKKM, exhibition view. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Diana Tamane, Sea is You, 2021-…
Watercolour on paper. Installation view at EKKM. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Killu Sukrnit, Making Your Unknown Known, 2021.
Embroidery on textile. Installation view at EKKM. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Letters from a foreign mind at EKKM, exhibition view. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Letters from a foreign mind at EKKM, exhibition view. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Hana Miletić, from the series Materials, 2016 and 2020.
Hand-woven textile. Installation view at EKKM. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Cloe Jancis, Becoming, 2021.
Video installation, blackout fabric, HD video. Installation view at EKKM. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Cloe Jancis, Becoming, 2021.
Video installation, blackout fabric, HD video. Installation view at EKKM. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Letters from a foreign mind at EKKM, exhibition view. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Killu Sukmit, Artists’ Hayfield, 2021.
Embroidery on textile. Installation view at EKKM. Photo: Paul Kuimet

Diana Tamane, Sea is You, 2021-…