On August 14, the Days of a White Glass had a  
  day dedicated to the youngest. Kids interested in art had a chance to paint on glass, guided by professionals – including maestro Evald Okas. By noon, the museum yard was crowded with children and their parents; we even had to ask some to come back n a few hours. In the end, though, everyone got their chance to paint. The resulting 101 glass pictures were on display in front of the museum during the rest of the workshop, then gathered by the authors.
The event was sponsored by Hansabank and the Estonian Ministry of Culture, with their programs “Make the Stars Shine” and “Let’s Spread Art”. Thanks to them, we had the painting materials, and a kiln to do the firing. Continue reading →

Days of White Glass in Haapsalu
Evald Okas Museum, Karja 24.
July 10-23,2005.

For the third time, the Museum of Evald Okas will host an interantional hot glass symposium. This year, it comes under the title Days of White Glass; there’s milky white glass in the furnace, and the White Lady of Haapsalu will be remembered.
Artists arrive from around the globe; some old friends from previous workshops, some newcomers.
In the first week, the scene belongs to Estonian glass artists. Starting with July 16, the international crew takes over. The public is welcome to watch glassblowing and casting. On July 23, at 4 pm, a show of the new and previously executed works will open on site, together with the workshop’s closing ceremony. The show will stay open till August 14.
Glassblowing starts at noon daily, with two artists per day.
Other exhibitions open at various locations around town: Rait Prääts, Remigius Kriukas and Lachezar Dochev will be showing their creations.
July 14 is a day for the children: a glass painting workshop will be guided by Estonian artists, including Evald Okas.
Participants:
10. – 15.07. Kai Saarepuu, Liisi Junolainen, Kairi Orgusaar,
Kati Kerstna, Malle Hallimäe, Eeva Käsper, Maret Sarapu,
Sofi Arshas, Virve Kiil, Merle Kannus, Toomas Riisalu, Kai Koppel, Susanne Koskimäki (Soome).
17.-22. 07. Barbala Gulbe (Latvia), Remigius Kriukas (Lithuania), Cicy Ching (China), Lachezar Dochev (Bulgaria), Robert Tannahill (Canada), Sung-Hwan Hong (Korea), Sue Parry (England), Vesa Varrela (Finland), Renate Korinek (Austria), Kai Koppel (Eesti), Anda Munkevica (Latvia), Nicolas Morin (France), Catherine Sintés (France)

9.07.- 16.07. Estonian artists:
Kai Saarepuu, Liisi Junolainen, Kairi Orgusaar,
Kati Kerstna, Malle Hallimäe, Eeva Käsper, Maret Sarapu,
Sofi Arshas, Virve Kiil, Merle Kannus, Toomas Riisalu, Kai Koppel, Susanne Koskimäki (Finland).

14. 07. kell 12.00 – 15.00 Children’s Day
Glass painting workshop for kids, the theme is White Lady.

16.07. – 23. 07. International hot glass symposium
16. 07. Opening ceremony, free stage, show

Participants:
Su 17. 07. Robert Tannahill (Canada) / Sung-Hwan Hong (Korea)
Mo 18. 07. Vesa Varrela (Finland) / Barbala Gulbe (Latvia)
Tue 19. 07. Anda Munkevica (Latvia)) / Cicy Ching (Hongkong)
Wed 20. 07. Lachezar Dochev (Bulgaria) / Nicolas Morin (France)
Thu 21. 07. Renate Korinek (Austria) / Remigius Kriukas (Lithuania)
Fri 22. 07. Sue Parry (England) / Kai Koppel (Estonia)
23. 07. Closing ceremony, vernissage, free stage, show
23. 07. – 14. 08. Exhibition of White Glass.

Glass exhibition by Merle Lobjakas

Starting May 23, the Timelessness Pieces, kinetic scilptures of glass and sand, will be revolving at the Nõmme Gallery. A presentation takes place on My 31, where the author will read her poems, concerning time, sand, glass and other things.

On May 24, Ivo Lill will open his show, titled Breaklight, at the Viviann Napp Gallery, Tallinn. The show is open till June 14.

The Third Haapsalu Glass Days
July 16-23, 2005
Evald Okas Museum,
Karja 24, Haapsalu

Exhibition of works:
July 23- August 14, 2005
Opening ceremony: 4 p.m. July 16
Exhibition opens: 4 p.m. July 23

Theme: light objects

White glass, with its translucency or semi-opaqueness, possesses a certain mystery,
an element of disguise. This year’s hot glass festival in Haapsalu focuses on light objects
made of white glass. The keywords are light, luminosity, whiteness in all its
possible connotations; inspiration may be found from the full moon, from a blank screen,
from the White Lady – whatever comes to mind.

So who’s the White Lady?
The most renowned of Estonia’s ghastly apparitions, she presents herself in a window of the Haapsalu
Dome Church every time the harvest moon reaches fullness in August.
Her story speaks of the Dark Ages. A girl was caught in the service of the church choir,
where she had infiltrated, disguised as a boy. For punishment, she was set in the wall of the church alive.

Working conditions:
The glass furnace is located outdoors, under a roof.
There’s 80 kilos of white glass in the tub.
Two master glassblowers provide their assistance.
For cast glass works, the thickness limit is 6 cm.

Information: kontakt [at] klaasikunst [dot] ee

Maie-Ann Raun
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS
Tartu University Library
March 14 – April 18, 2005

The show presents a selection of works executed at the Skankristall factory 2002-2003 and Tarbeklaas 2004.

We do not see troubled waters at the show; three tough years of work at a struggling glass factory. The show is a bridge – bright and colourful, expressing the author’s belief in the survival ability of the Estonian glass industry. The bridge is a symbolic link from the past to the future, a story of evolution – the evolving mastership of our glass designers and glassblowers.

The centerpiece of the show is a bright red vessel, titled “Moment” (2003) – a memorial to mark the rebirth of glass art. “Sea” (2004) expresses the dynamic of the glass industry’s struggle for survival.

The colourful exhibit reveals no hints of tension and concern. Sea-green, flaming red, sky-blue and sparkling glass characterize the author’s attitude and positive message.

The author will meet the audience on April 4, 16.00 at the library, next to the exhibit.

March 7 – April 22, 2005
Masters’ Courtyard Gallery, Vene t.6, Tallinn
Curator: prof. emeritus Maie-Ann Raun, Estonian Academy of Art

More than 2000 exhibits feature iridescent shards – archaeological finds from the sites of our oldest glass huts: Hüti (1628 – 1664), Piirsalu (1740 – 1790), Gorodjonka (1764 – 1771), Laashoone (1764 – 1775) and Lehtse / Rekka (1776 – 1808).
The exhibition is made possible thanks to the research work of MAKS ROOSMA (1909 – 1971) – the founding father of Estonian glass, our first professional glass artist, teacher and historian. He conducted his excavations during 1958-1965, and remains the only one who ever did research in this area. While his engravings are well-known, his archaeological materials are exhibited for the first time in history.
Roosma’s own creations are represented by 5 pieces from the years 1938 to 1959. The masterpiece “Kalevipoeg Fighting the Devils” (1959) can be seen as a summary of his life’s work.
An installation of 50 vessels – Hüti 375 – presents replicas of the ancient Hüti ware, executed at the Skankristall factory in 2003, and is a hommage to the dignified history of glass in Estonia, continuing to survive in the 21st century.
The fight for the Estonain glass industry’s development was the life’s work of Maks Roosma. He dedicated his strength and deep knowledge to this, and to recovering its heritage. This show expresses his students’ gratitude on Roosma’s 95th anniversary.
A conference on the same topic will be held in April.

19. 11.2004 – 16.01.2005
Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design

The current exhibition presents some of the chapters from the long and variegated history of glass beads and is the first such a comprehensive introduction of glass beads in Estonia. Continue reading →