Category: Exhibitions

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CHASING SHADOWS X ALL I LOVE, I LOVE ALONE

From Wednesday, 27th of October two exhibitions will be opened on the A-Gallery windows: “Chasing Shadows” by Edgar Volkov and “All I Love, I Love Alone” by Erinn M.Cox. The exhibitions are open until 3rd of January 2022.

CHASING SHADOWS

There is so much we aspire to achieve, that we don’t notice when we are lost in our own desires. Our hands reach out for something or someone that might not even be real. The dreams we wish were true might not even be our own to begin with. Are we just chasing shadows or do shadows chase us?

Edgar Volkov’s window exhibition is about portraying an obsession with our aspirations and wondering if they are caused by personal desires or a force we cannot control.

Edgar Volkov

Edgar Volkov is a jeweller and a jewellery artist. He graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2015 specializing in jewellery (BA). He is currently working at Roman Tavast. Edgar Volkov has taken part of group exhibitions “Vari” at the courtyard of Estonian Academy of Arts (2014), “Ferromenaalne” at Tallinn City Gallery (2014), “Pinna all” at St John’s Almshouse Museum (2016) and “Dark Water” in A-Gallery VAULT exhibition (2020). In 2021 Volkov took part in the group exhibition “Phantasmagoria”.

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ALL I LOVE, I LOVE ALONE

Sometimes our heartbreak feels so dramatic, so momentous, that we seek reasons for it that are equally so. We need to make sense of the sadness we feel when the other is lost, when they so effortlessly disappear. Their absence feels overwhelming, their silence a deafening statement of rejection. We cling to memories, old conversations, private jokes, the love that they always said they wanted – the love that we still desperately hold on to despite our return to solitude.

Erinn M. Cox

Erinn M. Cox is a jewellery artist from the United States based in Tallinn, Estonia. She holds BFA and MFA degrees in sculpture and installation, and a MA degree in Jewellery. Erinn has exhibited her work in the US and internationally, highlighted by her selection for Schmuck 2018 & 2020, SOFA CHICAGO, and the 21grams touring exhibition. She was awarded the Galerie Marzee Graduate Prize and named an upcoming design star by Wallpaper* Magazine. As well, Erinn is an adjunct professor of Fine Arts and Art History in the US and a guest lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Arts. She is a published author on topics related to contemporary art + design, jewellery, and philosophy and is the founder and writer for the online journal Louise & Maurice (www.louiseandmaurice.com)

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Edgar Volkov. CHASING SHADOWS
Erinn M. Cox. ALL I LOVE, I LOVE ALONE
On A-Gallery WINDOWS
27.10–03.01.2022

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SINGLE COPY

On Friday, 29th of October at 18:00 Taavi Teevet’s exhibition SINGLE COPY will be opened in the A-Gallery VAULT. The exhibition will be open until 26th of November.

SINGLE COPY is a poetry collection that never leaves the print shop, since it will never be printed. This poetry collection can not be found on the shelves of bookstores and it is not available for loan at libraries. SINGLE COPY will not be read during boring bus rides or in parks on sunny days.

This poetry collection exists on the walls of the VAULT of the A-Gallery throughout the period of exhibition and will be read by people who come to visit the show.

Perhaps a line will be remembered by someone and will then be repeated to someone else, perhaps someone will learn a poem by heart or perhaps it will be forgotten completely after the exhibition. One thing is for sure, this is a collection without a traditional print run, it is a single copy poetry collection that will never be stacked in boxes, hidden away under someone’s bed.

The poems are given the form of jewellery by combining the techniques of laser engraving and acid etching.

In his texts Teevet looks at the world from a very personal perspective, focusing on his memories, problems and sensorial-philosophical discoveries.

The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.

At the opening event Balmerk Estonia OÜ serves Casa Charlize wines, the number one collection of Italian wines in Estonia.

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Taavi Teevet (1996, Saaremaa) is a young metal artist focusing on the journey into his inner world and on analysing relevant sensorial experiences, related issues and discoveries. He has a Bachelor’s degree in jewellery and blacksmithing from the Estonian Academy of Arts. 

Teevet has shown his work both in Estonia and abroad and has participated in several performative projects.

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Ülle Kõuts. BALANCE

What is balance, why is it so important? Balance is a state of being that gives people inner peace, dignity and certainty, a sense that I can decide, have control over my life and take responsibility for my choices.

Balance is honesty towards myself, an ability to understand my emotions and simultaneously understand other people. A balanced life gives energy, the capacity to think and find what is valuable, to see beauty and feel joy, to be curious about everything new and interesting. Balance means standing on firm ground, it is knowing that what surrounds us is permanent and does not fall apart.

In art, balance means a sense of equality between the various parts of a work, a sense that nothing needs to be added or removed. A well-balanced work finds harmony between the idea, the choice of materials and the technical execution.

Jewelry is a precious thing, which is mostly created to complement the costume and emphasize the wearer’s personality, it goes into the wide world and lives its life there. It reflects the world of thought of the jeweler, but each wearer always adds his or hers personal energy to the jewelry.

A balanced piece of jewellery is convincing, pleasant, gives confidence to the wearer, supports and makes us feel better.

I strive for balance.

The exhibition was designed by ÜLA KOPPEL.

The artist expresses her gratitude to Cultural Endowment of Estonia, A-Gallery, Üla Koppel, Kalle Komissarov, Liina Lõõbas and Avo Raikna for their help and support.

Ülle Kõuts (b. 1956, Pärnu) is an Estonian jewellery artist, whose clear minimalist nature of her work and the marriage of metals technique that she uses makes it stand out and has contributed to establishing her position in the Estonian jewellery art scene. Ülle Kõuts’ work has been exhibited in Estonia, Czech, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, USA, France, Germany, Hungary and Denmark. Her works belong to museum collections in Estonia, Latvia, Sweden and Russia. Ülle Kõuts is a member of the Estonian Artists Association, the Estonian Association of Jewellery and Blacksmiths, the Katariina Guild. She is one of the founding members of the artist group ON-grupp. BALANCE is her fourth solo show at A-Gallery and a continuation of artist’s solo exhibition KOOSKÕLA at the Evald Okas Museum in Haapsalu in summer 2021.

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BALANCE Ülle Kõuts 01.10–26.10.2021 In the VAULT of A-Gallery Event on Facebook

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WARM SUMMER

Summer – a colourful, diverse and inspiring season, a dream of an eternal paradise. Reflecting the extreme heat of this year’s summer, the exhibition brings together Andrei Balashov’s work of the last years, presenting an array of small-scale sculptures, objects and jewellery that highlight the symbiosis of metal and colour, research and experimentations with various techniques and technologies.

Andrei Balašov (b. 1965 in Tallinn) is an Estonian jewelry artist who in recent years has worked in the genre of small sculpture, dealing with anthropomorphic forms, experimenting with casting techniques and textures. Balašov has studied at the Estonian Academy of Arts and Lahti Goldsmiths’ School in Finland. He has exhibited his works in solo exhibitions at Gallery Susi in Riga, Latvia, Kauno Langas in Kaunas, Lithuania, and Uzopio Galerija in Vilnius. This is the artist’s sixth solo exhibition at A-Gallery. Balašov has participated in group exhibitions in Sweden, the USA, Germany, Finland and the Netherlands. In 1996, Balašov was awarded the Edde Kurrel Estonian Metal Artist Award.

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WARM SUMMER

27.08. – 28.09.2021

In the VAULT of A-Gallery

Event on Facebook

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TREASURES FROM THE SEA

An exhibition about man’s relation to the sea.

Sodium, potassium and calcium are carried in our veins. We have that in common with all the fish, amphibians, reptiles, warm-blooded birds and mammals. It is a salty stream combined in almost the same proportions as in seawater. Life on Earth arose in the ancient sea. When we once left our original home to live our lives on land we took the sea with us inside our bodies. We still carry it.

Man’s relation to the sea accommodates a gamut of feelings and thoughts. We are drawn to it, yet we know little about it. 80% of its wonders and mysteries are still waiting for us. It triggers our imagination and fear. No one is untouched.

This exhibition is about man’s relation to the sea spoken through the art of jewellery. Six Swedish jewellers invite you to their realms of jewellery, to explore and ponder. These are their treasures from the sea.

Treasures from the Sea was shown in Paris during the international jewellery triennial Parcours Bijoux 2020 where it became a highly appreciated exhibition. As a complement to the exhibition the book with the same title is available. It gives an even deeper approach to the subject and in it the jewellers describe their work and process. The foreword is written by Anders Omstedt, professor emeritus in oceanography, the author of ”A Philosophic View of the Ocean and Humanity”.

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The grand opening of TREASURES FROM THE SEA will take place on August 25th at A-Gallery in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden.⁠

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Serena Holm

Serena often works with myths and tales as a theme. In this project the mermaid is her main figure. In a series of necklaces she interprets the mermaid from different cultures. The three sirens from the Greek myths are here, so is the Korean legend about Sinjike and the one about the West African Mami Wata. Her jewellery is made of silver, gemstones and porcelain.

https://klimt02.net/jewellers/serena-holm

Hanna Lijenberg

Over the years Hanna has developed her own very personal expression in her use of paper in her jewellery. For this project she has especially looked closer at lichens. These small and super strong species that live where sea and land meets have inspired her to a series called Symbioses. The name comes from the symbiotic partnership of algae and fungus. The pieces are made of silver and paper, paint and lacquer.

www.hannaliljenberg.se

Lena Lindahl

The underwater forests of kelp and eelgrass and the complexity of the ecosystems of the coral reefs have given her inspiration to her necklaces with tanned fish leather from Iceland. She also lets you meet the sea elephant, the grey seal, the sea leopard and many more in her seal colony of etched brooches in silver.

https://klimt02.net/jewellers/lena-lindahl

www.lenalindahl.wordpress.com

Anna Norrgrann

Anna’s works are about the importance of weight. It is about the plumbs that with their weight pull downwards to touch the ocean floor and measure the depth of the sea. They are reminders of the other direction than the one shown by the waves. The pendants have been given their forms inspired of old plumbs.

www.facebook.com/norrgrann.jewellery

Paula Lindblom

Paula has worked with plastic waste from the oceans in her jewellery for many years. For this exhibition she has made jewellery for the modern mermaid. What would she adorn herself with when she goes on holiday to the floating island of plastic waste that has aroused? Paula’s works bear the traces of environmental issues, of feminism and the inspirations of marine life.

www.instagram.com/artbypaula66

https://klimt02.net/jewellers/paula-lindblom

Mona Wallström

Mona remembers swimming in lukewarm waters in the late summer nights with the glittering sea fire surrounding her body. She has dived deep down into the wonderfully detailed illustrations of Ernest Haeckel and created a whole new world of her own of diatoms and zooplankton. She calls them Sea-crets and they are all brooches in titanium.

www.monawallstrom.se

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TREASURES FROM THE SEA 25.08–23.10.2021 On the windows of A-Gallery Näitus Facebookis

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PRECIOUS PARTS

From Saturday 31 July, A-Gallery is hosting the exhibition of Into Niilo, a jewellery artist from Moscow. 

PRECIOUS PARTS jewelry collection is about self-love and self-acceptance. It’s a small research about being a human, an effort to accept and embrace it with all the vulnerability, fragility and imperfection.

It’s an attempt of philanthropy, starting with a physical acceptance. This is a personal attempt of the designer Into Niilo to love and understand the human body.

PRECIOUS PARTS is a sensual journey that starts from the little – loving the shape of your nail plate and nipples, toes, belly buttons, every single little curve and wrinkle of thy body, charm of bends, sticking bones, goosebumps, body hairs and birthmarks.

Many various materials were used to create the collection – metals (brass, silver, gold), precious natural stones (pearls, Ethiopian opal, turquoise, lapis, obsidian, labrador, rutilated quartz, chrysoprase, ametrine, topaz, agate) and artificial materials (opal, tourmaline quartz, opal quartz, ulexite).

For the usual surrealistic twist of Into Niilo’s brand into|into the designer carved teeth from baroque pearls, MOP, ulexite and artificial opal. For the nail rings a variety of cuts dictated by the shape of fingernails were used and the designer chose stones that have an obvious stone look and also imitate different manicure styles. Various techniques were used to create nipple and belly button brooches and collarbone necklace. The designer cast the brooches in silver and then gold plated them. Electroforming in brass was used for the necklace which was also then gold plated.

Each item of the new collection is a true piece of art, a philosophical reinterpretation of everything natural with a hint of dark humor and infinite self-love.

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Into Niilo (they/them) is an artist and jewelry designer based in Moscow, Russia.

After graduating from Moscow State University of Design and Technology (MSUDT) in 2013, as an accessory designer, they made their master degree in Footwear Design at London College of Fashion (LCF), University of Arts London (UAL).

Straight after the designer realized that they are no longer interested in footwear but have more interest towards small, wearable architectural and sculptural forms. That’s how they launched their own brand into|into (in 2015) of experimental accessories and later switched to fine jewelry primarily.

Starting from 2016 Into Niilo started to take part in various showrooms of Paris Fashion Week (twice a year). In 2018 they signed a contract with the NOB agency and starting from 2019, they took part in the NOB showroom during Paris, Milan and Tokyo Fashion Weeks.

Into Niilo’s brand into|into takes ideas and principles of the exact sciences and experiments from scientific cognition of different fields like physics, chemistry, natural philosophy, cosmology, astronomy, anatomy, philosophy, etc. and tries to transfer them into the art and design field. The refrain in the name into|into is borrowed from English [intu:] and Finnish [into:] languages ​​and translates as «internal inspiration». And the brand is inspired by the outworld – nature and the cognitive process by man, poetics and the splendor of forms, the very essence of things and their contents.

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PRECIOUS PARTS Into Niilo 31.07–24.08.2021 In the VAULT of A-Gallery

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EDGE

From Friday 2. July, A-Gallery is hosting the  exhibition of Katarina Kotselainen, Kalle Kotselainen and Jens A. Clausen.

Three jewellery artists, Katarina Kotselainen, Kalle Kotselainen and Jens A. Clausen came together in a forge in Tartu to craft knives, jewellery and other objects. They used different metals, such as Damascus steel, stainless steel and silver, but also wood, horn and bone. The title of the exhibition, “Tera/ Edge” has multiple meanings, with the Estonian word “tera” referring to the edge of a knife, as well as to the material left over in the process of forging. The small amount of surplus material cannot be made into a knife blade, but can be used for making other smaller objects and jewellery.

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Katarina Kotselainen has studied at the Estonian Academy of Arts Department of Jewellery and Blacksmithing. Has exhibited in exhibitions around the world since 2001 and is member of the Estonian Artists Association since 2008.

Kalle Kotselainen has designed and crafted jewellery for over ten years. In 2019 he graduated from the blacksmithing program at the Vana-Vigala Technical and Service School.

Jens A. Clausen has studied at the Staatluche Zeichenakademie Hanau and since 2012  works at the  Estonian Academy of Arts Department of Jewellery and Blacksmithing as a goldsmith. He has been a member of the Estonian Artists Association since 2014 and a member of the Norwegian Association for Arts and Crafts.

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Katarina Kotselainen, Kalle Kotselainen, Jens A. Clausen EDGE 02.07–27.07.2021 In the VAULT of A-Gallery Event on Facebook

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    FROM THE JAUNTINESS OF ABSENCE

    “Every piece has a story, a journey to become what it is. We believe that objects, drawings, sketches- the things we create while making the actual jewellery- are as important as the finished pieces themselves. Through them, we study material, from meaning. They lead us to the essence of our creations.”

    – Natascha Frechen, Felicia Mülbaier, Constanza Salinas & Luisa Werner

    The exhibition is accompanied by a publication that will be launched at a public presentation and a talk with the artists on August 14 in the courtyard of Hobusepea 2 studio house.

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    Natascha Frechen was born in Jülich (Germany) in 1990. Following her vocational training as a gold- smith and ve years of work experience as a  goldsmith specializing in high jewellery, Natascha Frechen decided to take a new step and move into an artistic eld. In 2019, she completed her studies and was awarded the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Gemstones and Jewellery at the Trier University of Applied Sciences, Idar-Oberstein Campus. In March 2020, Natascha Frechen be gan to study for her Master of Fine Arts in Gem- stones and Jewellery, again at the Trier University of Applied Sciences, Idar-Oberstein Campus. For her work with stone, she received the Rhineland-Palatinate award to promote arts and crafts in 2019.

    | www.nataschafrechen.com 

    Felicia Mülbaier was born in Speyer (Germany) in 1988. Between 2011 and 2015, Felicia Mülbaier studied at the University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf, where she received a Bachelor of Arts. In 2019, she completed her studies with the Master of Fine Arts in Gemstones and Jewellery at the Trier University of Applied Sciences, Idar- Oberstein Campus. As part of her artistic training and development, she spent time abroad at the Academy of Art and Design in Gothenburg (Swe- den) and the Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn. When she makes jewellery, she use primarily the media stone and textile to express her artistic vision. She accompanies her creative process with drawings. Her works – shown internationally since 2014 – have already received numerous awards.

    | www.felicia-muelbaier.com

    Constanza Salinas was born in Valdivia (Chile) in 1993. Following her vocational training as a goldsmith in her native country Chile, Constanza Salinas moved to Germany in 2016 to study at the Trier University of Applied Sciences, Idar-Oberstein Campus. In 2019, she completed her studies with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Gem- stones and Jewellery. In her artistic work, she primarily chose wood and stone to express her artistic vision. In the course of her studies for her Bachelor’s degree, Constanza Salinas spent one semester at the Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn. In March 2020, she began to study for a Master in Gemstones and Jewellery at the Trier Univer- sity of Applied Sciences, Idar-Oberstein Campus.

    | www.constanza-salinas.com

    Luisa Werner was born in Berlin (Germany) in 1997. Following her vocational training as a gold- smith (CAP Art et techniques de la bijouterie- joaillerie) in Saint Amand Montrond (France), Luisa Werner began to study Gemstones and Jewellery at the Trier University of Applied Sciences, Idar-Oberstein Campus. In 2019, she spent a term abroad at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax (Canada). In the summer of 2021, she will com- plete her studies with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. In her work so far, Luisa Werner has combined a range of different techniques and materials, with a main focus on stone and textile.

    | www.luisawerner.com

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    from the jauntiness of absence 30.06–14.08.2021 On the windows of A-Gallery Event on Facebook

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    FIRE

    From Friday 28 May, A-Gallery is hosting the solo exhibition of Ilona Treiman.

    “The word “FIRE” has different meanings in estonian which allow for parallel readings to emerge. We have been moving forwards at such a fast pace that it felt like there was fire (tuli – fire) beneath our feet. Eventually, we had to (tuli – had to) stop and look for balance.

    The importance of fire in the life and work of a metal artist is undeniable. In metal forging and casting, fire is powerfully dominant: fire represents passion, heat and enthusiasm while creating something new. It can represent both beginnings and endings. Strike while the iron is hot — capturing the right moment is crucial. Fire can be beautiful, magical, purifying, illuminating and warming, but at the same time it can be destructive. It is tricky to tame fire. In fact, a metal artist could even be called a fire juggler.

    Annual, increasingly common wildfires have made the world rethink and look at the effects of climate change on our planet, see the change in flora and fauna. I add elements of nature to my work which will be part of the disappeared world in the future. When we see how vulnerable and fragile we are when fighting against the fire, our values change. How are we supposed to find the balance then? We know that all things break when great force is applied. This poses a Shakespearian question: to be or not to be? I consider and reflect the life path through the symbols hidden in the works and with the help of dialogue.

    When we see how vulnerable and fragile we are when fighting against the fire, our values change. How are we supposed to find the balance then? We know that all things break when great force is applied. This poses a Shakespearian question: to be or not to be? I consider and reflect the life path through the symbols hidden in the works and with the help of dialogue.

    In fire, there is a dialogue of opposites, collisions, movement through time, and balance. The world is like a double-edged sword: when one blade is of feather and the other of sharp steel, which one has more weight?”

    – Ilona Treiman

    Ilona Treiman is a jewelry and metal artist and teacher, who uses different materials and techniques in her work, characterised by a sculptural approach. She has graduated from metalworking at the Estonian Academy of Arts (1984), is a member of the Estonian Artists Association, Ornamo Art and Design Finland and The Union of Finnish Art Associations. She has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, most notably at Limoges (1990, -92, -94), Cincinnati USA (1989, -91), Moscow and Tallinn (1985 -1990), Tokio (1992), Denmark, Beijing (2004) and Berlin (2005, -16), She has taken part of the nomadic exhibition Baltic and Nordic Jewelry Art (Denmark-Finland-Sweden, 1991) and the exhibition in Seoul South Korea (2011). She had a solo exhibition in the Art Museum of Hyvinkää (2012). In 2019, she received the Ede Kurrel prize of the The Estonian Association of Jewelry and Blacksmiths. Her works are part of the collection of the Estonian Museum of Applied Art And Design, Nordic Museum in Vaasa and private collections in France, USA, England, Finland, Denmark, Italy.

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    FIRE Ilona Treiman In the Vault of A-Gallery 28.05–29.06.2021 Event on Facebook

    The exhibition is part of the 8th Tallinn Applied Art Triennal satellite programme.

    The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia

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    A-Gallery celebrates its 27th birthday today

    The home of Estonian jewelry, A-Gallery, will be 27 years old today. As a jewelry store and exhibition space, A-Gallery represents more than a hundred professional jewelry artists.

    “Founding A-Gallery was a bold undertaking in its time. With our enthusiasm, we were also a guide to other applied arts disciplines. Combining different generations of metal artists, offering equal sales opportunities and creative activities to everyone has been the key to A-Gallery’s strength and survival for many years,” says Ene Valter, the founder and chairman of A-Gallery.

    A-Gallery was founded in 1994 by jewellery artists who run the gallery to this day. The founding meeting of the gallery took place at the end of 1993. There were 32 founding members, including Ene Valter, Ülle Kõuts, Urve Küttner, Andrei Balašov, Mari Pärtelpoeg and Aino Kapsta. Later, 48 artists in total acquired shares of the enterprise. On May 10, 1994, A-Gallery opened its doors in the building of the Estonian Artists’ Union on Hobusepea Street (current location of HOP-gallery) where it stayed until 2005.

    In its current location, on the corner of Hobusepea and Pikk streets, A-Gallery has been located since 2005. Today, A-Gallery has become a unique meeting point where one can get acquainted with the creations of over a hundred different authors.

    “For me, A-Gallery is a home of Estonian art jewelry and a place where my work meets different artists and generations. I would say that it is a perfect timeline, every visitor gets a nice overview,” says the artist Claudia Lepik.

    Each handmade piece of jewelry in A-Gallery is unique and made with a masterful technique. What makes A-Gallery even more special is the fact that many artists create their pieces right above the gallery where many artists have their studios.