Posted by: Marian Visser van Klaarwater Posted on: Wednesday 23 February 2011, 10:01

On 27 February at 20:45 a 24-hour utopian installation „Object no. 2011“ will be opened on Freedom Square in Tallinn. The project will focus attention on an artist as a human. Hundreds of important creative people in Estonia will participate in the installation during a three-week period. „Object no. 2011“ is part of the European Capital of Culture Tallinn 2011 programme.

Paintbrush

A paintbrush does not paint, a camera does not record, a stage does not direct, a violin or an electric guitar does not play by itself. People, personalities are essential for creating art. And there are many of such people. The best way to perceive it is to gather them together. For a long time, we have been searching for a way to unite the entire Estonian cultural world into one piece of art, as utopian as that thought may be. On 27 February, in the year when Tallinn is the European Capital of Culture, this search will come to an end.

Object 2011

From 27 February to 20 March, „Object no. 2011“ will shine in the centre of Freedom Square. It is a kind of a room that features a real summer as a contrast to the winter that is outside. Within a three-week period, up to 400 creative Estonian people will take turns to spend one hour in this summer. Starting from the opening moment, the installation can be observed on Freedom Square and also on the Internet and Elion DigiTV special channel as a live broadcast.

Video clip

A video clip introducing „Object no. 2011“ can be watched on Youtube„

Object no. 2011“ web site and a list of participating artists: www.objekt2011.ee “Object no. 2011” is organized and run by NPO Siseilm and Allianss Architects. Members of those organizations include Mart Koldits, Kaarel Oja, Iir Hermeliin, Indrek Tiigi, Kadri Tamre, Kadri Tikerpuu and Sirli Bergström.

NPO

The installation was inspired by NPO Siseilm members` thoughts on the state of Estonian culture as well as a speech by Arthur Valdes that was recently unexpectedly found from the archives of the French National Audiovisual Institute. Arthur Valdes, one of the most legendary Estonian cultural personas, delivered his speech “About the Main Problem of Estonian Culture” during a private gathering in Paris (probably in the early 1930s). The recording of the presentation has been damaged over time, but it was possible to transcribe the following quote: Estonian Summer

„Although Estonian summer is very short, at least our winter is very dark and long. There is no warmth, not even light. There are no meadows or sunlight. Therefore, the main problem of Estonian culture is simple: it is cold. Just make a miracle, let winter turn into summer, even for a moment, and you will see how all those people – artists – will bloom on this dull sand.“ (Arthur Valdes, Paris, early 1930s.)

More information:

Website: www.objekt2011.ee

e-mail: ojakaarel@gmail.com

phone: 56 673 202