September 2018 will see the Michelangelo Foundation’s unprecedented celebration of European craftsmanship showcased across the range of beautiful and surprising spaces that comprise the Fondazione Giorgio Cini, an international cultural centre which lays claim to most of the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice.

Homo Faber will adorn the Fondazione Giorgio Cini’s many varied spaces, including a number of historically and architecturally significant buildings, and will fill its galleries, libraries, cloisters and even its swimming pool with exquisite pieces, innovative installations and artisans creating work on site in full view. Taking up nearly 4,000 square metres, this exhibition will be the largest ever held at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini and will offer the public the opportunity to explore a range of spaces not generally open to them.

Created by a hand-picked team of world-class designers, curators and architects, Homo Faber aims to put the finest artisans of Europe on centre stage while providing a unique and memorable experience for visitors. The Homo Faber team, which includes names such as Michele de Lucchi, Stefano Boeri, India Mahdavi, Judith Clark, Jean Blanchaert and Stefano Micelli, has come together to imbue the exhibit with untold imagination and energy. Also collaborating with the Michelangelo Foundation on this undertaking are partner organizations that share its vision including: the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller, the Triennale Design Museum, and the Cologni Foundation for the Métiers d’Art.

A huge range of materials and disciplines will be represented, from jewellery to bespoke bicycles, from skills on the brink of being lost to some of the most sought after icons associated with European style.

Homo Faber is fuelled by an ardent belief in the power and value of real human engagement. As such, the exhibition is intended as an immersive experience – visitors will be able to speak to artisans, virtually enter the ateliers of the masters, observe conservators at work and truly immerse themselves in the world of fine craftsmanship, a world that relies on connection: connecting the hand, head and heart to create authentic works of lasting value.

on photo: Simone Fezer “Perception”

One´s point of view depends on a number of variables – upbringing, environment, opinions, prejudices, goals and needs, and so on. Our viewing angle shapesour judgement, decision-making, behaviour patterns and their consequences. Yet sometimes, looking at things from a different angle can open a door to another, perhaps more spacious, world.

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The exhibition allows us a glimpse of wildly differing viewpoints, on topics ranging from nostalgic past moments, intimate memories, yearnings for freedom, concerns for the fate of Earth and the artist’s own carbon footprint, through close-up studies of skin, musings on the concept of perfection, wanderings in the twilight zone, to frontal attacks against aesthetics.
One may find works both monumental and miniature, representative and abstract, sculptural and painterly, metaphorical and direct, cheery and dark, quiet and loud. There’s even a study on glass by the late Master Evald Okas. In short, there’s lots to see, all summer long.

participating: Sofi Aršas, Piret Ellamaa, Erki Kannus, Merle Kannus, Kati Kerstna, Eve Koha, Kai Koppel, Ivo Lill, Evald Okas, Kairi Orgusaar, Rait Prääts, Kateriin Rikken, Eili Soon (EE); Marta Gibiete, Anda Munkevica (LV); Simone Fezer, Cornelius Réer, Torsten Rötzsch (DE)

curator: Kati Kerstna
translation: Merle Kannus

exhibition is part of the art programme “One Hundred Artscapes” dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia
sponsored by: Center for Contemporary Arts Estonia, Cultural Endowment of Estonia, City of Haapsalu, Evald Okas Museum

on photo: Simone Fezer “Perception”

You are cordially invited to the conference Glass in Art and Architecture – HOT/COLD

80 years of Estonian glass art

The Estonian Glass Artists’ Union will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of professional glass art in Estonia with an international exhibition and conference. A joint Estonian-German exhibition titled HOT/COLD opens November 10, 2017 at the Tallinn Creative Hub, and the conference takes place at the same location and the same day.

The conference focuses on contemporary glass art and its role in public space and architecture.

Main topics include:

– Trends and developments of the last decade in Estonian glass art;

– Contemporary glass art in Germany;

– Glass art in public space and architecture.

At the conference, we’ll be seeking answers to the following questions: what are the problems faced by glass artists today? What is the future of glass art education? What are the similarities and differences of the Estonian and German glass art scene? What is the state of glass art in Germany – education, exhibitions, museums, corporations, and trends? How is glass art displayed in interiors and public spaces in Estonia? Glass in space – a focal point or a building material? How are architects cooperating with glass artists?

Presentations will be made by Dr Sven Hauschke from the Coburg Museum of Contemporary Glass; Torsten Rötzch, Chairman of the German Union of Glass Artists; Estonian glass artists Kai Kiudsoo-Värv, Kalli Sein, Tiina Sarapu, and Mare Saare; Estonian architect Kalle Komissarov. The conference will take place at the Terrace Hall of Tallinn Creative Hub. Presentation languages include Estonian and English.

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

10.45 – 11.30 Registration,  coffee

11.30   Opening, welcome note

11.50   Kai Kiudsoo-Värv “Through fire and water, or the endaevours of Glass Artists in the last decade”

12.20   Kalli Sein „Illuminating facts on illuminators – examples of custom-made work“

12.50   Tiina Sarapu “Glass in Architecture, Potential in Glass:  Perspectives towards the architectural and public space glass in 21st century Estonia – the successes, the mishaps, and the developmental capacity”

13.20   Kalle Komissarov “Glass Architecture”

13.50 – 14.50  Lunch

14.50   Dr Sven Hauschke  “Modern glass in Germany”

15.20   Torsten Rötzsch  “About the Glass Artists Union of North-Rhine Westfalia”

15.50   Prof Mare Saare  “Project based learning vs technology based learning”  – with focus on the Estonian Academy of Art

16.20 – 16.50  FInal words, discussion, followed by exhibition opening performance

Young Estonian Glass Artist’s Exhibition from 11.05.2016 til 17.08.2016 at the Museum of Glass Art on Yelagin island in St. Petersburg.

Participating artists: Aleksandra Pavlenkova, Andra Jõgis, Caspar Sild, Kateriin Rikken, Kristiina Oppi, Külli Nidermann, Maarja Mäemets, Maria Tamm and Mikk Jäger.

Exhibition in Viinistu Art Museum, 4 – 31 August 2016. Open every day from 11am to 6pm.
Glass: Ivo Lill, interior design: Maret Kukkur
Exhibition opening: 3rd August at 6pm.
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The exhibition of glass sculptures by Ivo Lill “High Water” will start with the vernissage in Viinistu Art Museum on 3rd of August at 6pm.
Both this exhibition and Ivo Lill’s work in general were inspired by WATER – the sound, beauty and dynamics of flowing water. The exhibition designer, theatre artist Maret Kukkur, has staged the previous showcase “On Ghost Waters” in September 2015 into artificial body of water which transformed into a quicksilver ghost stream coursing through an abandoned industrial environment.
This time the exhibition is built on the contrast of Viinistu spacious seascape and rusty industrial reservoirs where the glass sculptures are captured in high water. Glass sculptures give reflections on the surface of the water and shadows on rusty walls. The visitor will be able to “change the world” by splashing in shallow water and making the rippling reflections dance. However, after leaving the room the reflections on the surface will calm down and everything will be as it was before.
The exhibition is open every day from 11 to 6pm and remains open until August 31, 2016.

See panorama of exhibition:

Kondas Centre is happy to invite you to the opening of Reet Talimaa’s and Kai Kiudsoo-Värv’s joint exhibition Light Shines Through on Saturday the 2nd of April at 4 p.m. 

The exhibition’s title Light Shines Through states the simple truth that only light enables us to see nature and Creation. Each spring light is wonderfully reborn. This knowledge carries us through the long darkness, because the miserably dark season always seems to go on forever. Living in a northern country our rhythm of life is inextricably linked with the duality of light and darkness.

Light bears, grows and affirms life in both the direct and indirect sense. Light is the window of life, every human’s window to the world. Creator’s hope, the heart of light.

The troubled and bellicose times we live in remind us an old story about Martin Luther who in rensponse to the question what would he do if he knew that the world would end tomorrow replied that he would plant an apple tree.

We as artists use the time we’ve been granted for doing exhibitions. We are sisters who grew up in Tallinn. Glass artist Kai Kiudsoo-Värv’s hometown remains to be Tallinn, while the textile artist Reet Talimaa has been living in Viljandi for a little more than twenty years.

As sisters our creative searches and experiments are naturally bound together, though not so much in a tangible imagery but in the same kind of thinking and world view we share. Therefore we have decided to bring together works of art which have been created in different times and by different motivations. In 2007 we exhibited our works together in a small town of Den Helder in the Netherlands. This is our first joint exhibition in homely Estonia.

We devote this exhibition to our beloved mother, Sirje Kiudsoo, joyful spring child.

Reet Talimaa, textile artist
Kai-Kiudsoo Värv, glass artist

International Year Of Light closing ceremony / event Merida, Mexico, February 3-6 th, 2016.Cultural centre EL OLIMPO, “Light For The Peace”.

International Year Of  Light organizing committee selected via international competition 15 artists to make their solo exhibitions at the International Year Of Light Closing event/ ceremony Merida, Mexico, February 3-6, 2016.

Mery Crystal Ra about her glass-light interactive exhibition thoughts: “It is easy for us to imagine an instance in which the invisible meets the visible. Imagine a beam of light, which is normally invisible, striking a reflective surface and bouncing into our eyes. The light that was invisible is now visible. From our perspective as observers, it has been transformed. Now please imagine an instance in which the invisible meets the invisible. Imagine light striking glass. If the glass is perfectly transparent, it is virtually invisible. When a beam of light strikes it, we will have no way of knowing”.

Meeli Kõiva aka Mery Crystal Ra is one of the few artists in the world who has skillfully clued together the handwriting of the artist with the most modern unique innovative glass, lighting and video technologies.

Meeli Koiva (Mery Crystal Ra) is a globally renowned light-glass artist and innovator. She’s one of the winners of the 2013 and 2014 Light In the City / Northern Light, European light artists competition. She has been an innovator and a visionary in the field of light / glass art for the last 30 years. A pioneer in combining glass and light to create extraordinary works of art, she creates highly imaginative and novel pieces in Europe and in the US for private residences and public buildings. Even before the Light art boom of the last 30 years she was a trailblazer and source of influence in light art, reshaping the space and surface of structures. She has created glass-light sculptures for the European Parliament main building exhibition in Brussels, Belgium (2006) and Glaston Corporation headquarters in Finland, Tampere (2012), interactive glass-light meditation exhibition at the International Year Of Light 2015 closing event in Mexcio, February 2016. She is a speaker / keynote speaker, having made presentations at the universities, seminars and conferences. She is creative director at Crystal Energy Ltd. in Helsinki, NYC, Paris.

Meeli Kõiva aka Mery Ra Crystal was selected with her speech and solo exhibition  to participate at the UNESCO International Year Of Light closing ceremony / event February 3-6, 2016, Mexico.

3 artists invited by UNESCO International Year Of Light organising committee to make speeches at the International Year Of Light 2015 closing event, February 4-6, 2016, Merida, Mexico: Mery Crystal Ra (Europe), Marcus Neuestetter (South Africa), Tania Aedo (Mexico).

Mery Crystal Ra introduced her radical artist`s practice, talked about her unique international light-glass projects and presented her innovative glass paintings, glass-light sculptures and videos. Her speech was titled: ” TWISTED LIGHT, SCRATCHED GLASS AND INFINITE LUMINOSITY: WELCOME TO MY UNIVERSE.” The invisible meets the visible. The light that was invisible is now visible. Has the light been transformed by its passage through the glass? Twisted Light and Scratched Glass: Art at the Intersection of Absurdity and Hope. Unknown spaces – powered via light. Working with glass opens creative windows into amazing spaces of light and colour. Interior as a fun playground communicating art through synergy of light, glass, video, digital printings and luminescent inspiration. The interaction of light and glass becomes a meditation. Sometime the leap from physical science to artistic creativity comes quickly, and sometimes it happens slowly.

Awesome power of glass and luminescence. Future of the mankind: humans versus robots. Unknown spaces – powered via glass. Working with glass opens creative windows into amazing spaces and light color. Interior as a fun playground communicating art through synergy/energy of light, glass, video, digital printings and luminescent inspiration. Changing art communication. Active creative reshaping process of the space via light and glass to get an integral surface for new and surreal unexpected action and positive transformation. The awesome power and fragility of glass: a relevant metaphor and guiding principle for artists, citizens and nations”.

The International Year of Light has been a great success, over 5000 activities, involving millions of people in more than 120 countries worldwide. The last twelve months has seen academic and industry organizations joining forces toraise awareness of the many ways in which light, optics and photonics impact our lives in areas such as energy, education, climate-change, and health.

The sheer diversity of events that have taken place has been truly remarkable. The opening ceremony in Paris in January 2015 set the scene, and throughout the year we have seen a huge range of activities including: education and outreach for students and the public; specialist workshops in science and industry; forums on the historical development of science; conferences on sustainable development; public light festivals and displays; works of art, music and literature. Events have been targeted at all levels – from preschool children learning science for the first time, to politicians, diplomats and even royalty convening high-level meetings on the importance of technology for the future.

Discussions are now underway to ensure that the resources and partnerships established over the last two years will continue. We shall hear in the coming days at the Closing Ceremony of many of the success stories of the International Year of Light, and the speakers and topics have been chosen so that we can consider together how best to build on the results of 2015 to create a legacy that can truly transform our society.

INTERACTIVE LIGHT-GLASS-LIGHT EXHIBITION -MEDITATION: “LIGHT FOR THE PEACE” by MERY CRYSTAL RA.

International Year Of Light closing ceremony / event Merida, Mexico, February 3-6 th, 2016.Cultural centre EL OLIMPO, “Light For The Peace”. International Year Of Light organizing committee selected via international competition 15 artists to make their solo exhibitions at the International Year Of Light Closing event/ ceremony Merida, Mexico, February 3-6, 2016. Meeli Kõiva aka Mery Crystal Ra is one of the few artists in the world who has skillfully clued together the handwriting of the artist with the most modern unique innovative glass, lighting and video technologies.

Meeli Koiva (Mery Crystal Ra) is a globally renowned light-glass artist and innovator. She’s one of the winners of the 2013 and 2014 Light In the City / Northern Light, European light artists competition. She has been an innovator and a visionary in the field of light / glass art for the last 30 years. A pioneer in combining glass and light to create extraordinary works of art, she creates highly imaginative and novel pieces in Europe and in the US for private residences and public buildings. Even before the Light art boom of the last 30 years she was a trailblazer and source of influence in light art, reshaping the space and surface of structures. She has created glass-light sculptures for the European Parliament main building exhibition in Brussels, Belgium (2006) and Glaston Corporation headquarters in Finland, Tampere (2012), interactive glass-light meditation exhibition at the International Year Of Light 2015 closing event in Mexcio, February 2016. She is a speaker / keynote speaker, having made presentations at the universities, seminars and conferences. She is creative director at Crystal Energy Ltd. in Helsinki, NYC, San Francisco.

International Year Of Light closing ceremony Pogramme: