The participating artists are Kateryna Berlova, Eike Eplik, Alexei Gordin, Ivars Grāvlejs, Krišs Salmanis, Sabīne Vernere and Elīna Vītola, the show is curated by Šelda Puķīte.
The combination of the words octopus and rococo is itself nonsensical, used by critics at the turn of the twentieth century to mock the ornamented facade of the legendary Hofatelier Elvira in Munich designed by architect August Endell. In the exhibition, octopus rococo becomes a code name for serious humour – a strange, seemingly nonsensical, dadaistic joke that, in truth, camouflages the different layers of a very complex existence.
The exhibition is open from 19 January to 2 March 2024 at Kogo Gallery. The gallery is located in Tartu, Estonia at Aparaaditehas, on Kastani 42. Octopus Rococo is open for visits on Wed–Fri at 13–19 and on Sat at 13–18.
The exhibition is funded by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and the City of Tartu.
Special thanks to VV Foundation and Valmiermuiža.
Curator: Šelda Puķīte
Production and public programme: Stella Mõttus
Administration: Liina Raus
Communication: Karin Kahre, Kristlyn Liier
Installation: Siim Asmer
Photo documentation: Marje Eelma
Event photography: Evelin Lumi
Graphic design: Aleksandra Samulenkova
Translation and language editing: Refiner Translations

View from the exhibition Octopus Rococo, Kogo Gallery, 2024. Photo by Marje Eelma

View from the exhibition Octopus Rococo, Kogo Gallery, 2024. Photo by Marje Eelma

Sabīne Vernere, Red Flag Man, 2022. View from the exhibition Octopus Rococo, Kogo Gallery, 2024. Photo by Marje Eelma

Krišs Salmanis, Future Perfect, 2023. View from the exhibition Octopus Rococo, Kogo Gallery, 2024. Photo by Marje Eelma

View from the exhibition Octopus Rococo, Kogo Gallery, 2024. Photo by Marje Eelma

View from the exhibition Octopus Rococo, Kogo Gallery, 2024. Photo by Marje Eelma

View from the exhibition Octopus Rococo, Kogo Gallery, 2024. Photo by Marje Eelma

View from the exhibition Octopus Rococo, Kogo Gallery, 2024. Photo by Marje Eelma

Krišs Salmanis, Full Measure, 2022. View from the exhibition Octopus Rococo, Kogo Gallery, 2024. Photo by Marje Eelma

View from the exhibition Octopus Rococo, Kogo Gallery, 2024. Photo by Marje Eelma

View from the exhibition Octopus Rococo, Kogo Gallery, 2024. Photo by Marje Eelma

View from the exhibition Octopus Rococo, Kogo Gallery, 2024. Photo by Marje Eelma

Alexei Gordin, The Long Journey, 2023. View from the exhibition Octopus Rococo, Kogo Gallery, 2024. Photo by Marje Eelma

Eike Eplik, American Smile, 2017. View from the exhibition Octopus Rococo, Kogo Gallery, 2024. Photo by Marje Eelma