Photo reportage from group show 'Goddess Ex Machina' at Tartu Art House

December 6, 2017
Author Echo Gone Wrong

Published in Photo / Video from Estonia

Ingrīda Pičukāne, Sensual Meadow, 2017. Opening performance

Group exhibition ‘Goddess Ex Machina’ is devoted to the investigation of images of women in contemporary society, which often oscillate between two extremes. On the one hand, conforming to the popular practices of ‘treating yourself’ and ‘feminine happiness’ which often acquire esoteric qualities, the woman is compared to a goddess who leads a royal life, spending time in beauty salons and silk morning gowns. On the other hand, looking from a realistic, everyday perspective where the weight of endless work and responsibilities lies on the woman’s shoulders, the woman appears to have turned into a machine whose value is determined by her productivity indicators.

The kitchen as a curious platform for a woman’s independence and a manifestation of truth will be the subject of Rasa Jansone’s impressive installation with almost 500 self-made conserves. Inga Meldere will interpret the canonical images of women from art history while Eva Vēvere’s narratives will weave through a 1980s postcard collection and the thick Estonian forests. Anda Magone’s photographs will become a diary of the body, telling about passage of time, friendship and maturity, while Ingrīda Pičukāne will turn to more extreme bodily expressions, inviting the visitor on a journey of self-discovery. With a kind bow to Descartes and rationalist philosophy, revisiting the heritage of Western European art and flirting with images from popular culture, the exhibition will offer a feminist-critical commentary and trace the possibilities of new perspectives.

Goddess Ex Machina
Tartu Art House
2017 11 17 – 2017 12 12

Author of the concept and curator: Jana Kukaine
Idea for the project and assistant curator: Šelda Puķīte
Participants: Rasa Jansone, Anda Magone, Inga Meldere, Ingrīda Pičukāne, Eva Vēvere
Graphic identity: Ingrīda Pičukāne

Project’s partners and supporters: Tartu Artists’ Union, City of Tartu, Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Culture Capital Foundation of Latvia, Nordic-Baltic Mobility Programme for Culture, Temnikova & Kasela Gallery, MoKS Residency, MagnumNT, Lux Express, Valmiermuiža.

Photography: Valdis Jansons