Who? Kes? Ivo Penno and Peeter Grünberg from Stockholm, volunteers at the Estonian Archives in Sweden, who helped compile photographic material for Kumu's project of exile art. What? Mis? Are pointing to the portable version of what could be called exhibit A+, a 145-pg catalogue accompanying the exhibition "Väliseesti foto" or Photography from the Estonian Diaspora. Where? Kus? At the Kumu Art Museum's bookstore in Kadrioru Park, Tallinn. When? Millal? On Oct. 7, opening night of the exhibition which runs until Dec. 19. Photo: Riina Kindlam
Why? Miks? Inevitably this is a case of art and history rolled into one. For those who know little about Estonians abroad and how they got there, much of what has been captured on film is a revelation through eyewitness material, e.g. life in German refugee camps and acclimatisation in the New World. But there are also photos of peering in: of Soviet Estonia as seen through the eyes of Estonian professional photographers in the West; as well as aerial photographs, advertising and architectural photography. How? Kuidas? The exhibition is the result of archival research and cooperative work within the research project of exile art, initiated by Kumu in 2007.
The given photo exhibit is actually one of two major shows at Kumu featuring art created by Estonians abroad. "Estonian Art In Exile" in the Great Hall until January 2 introduces close to 250 works of art, many of which are in Estonia for the first time, as most belong to private collections in Sweden, Canada and the USA. A richly illustrated 544-page catalogue in Estonian and English was also published. In case you didn't know, the name KUMU derives from the Estonian word KUnstiMUuseum – art museum.)
Riina Kindlam, Tallinn