The curatorial collective is formed by four Estonian based curators and writers: Marika Agu, Maria Arusoo, Kaarin Kivirähk and Sten Ojavee who have worked together since 2017 at the CCA. More clearly, they defined their platform in a collectively curated exhibition A-tishoo, A-tishoo, We All Fall Down (2019) which exhibited in EKKM, the Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia. Other than this, they have curated and organized lecture series, seminars, article series, public art projects, video events. As curators they have different backgrounds, coming from artistic practice, social theory, philosophy, art history and semiotics. They have teamed up to bring together different experiences and ways of thinking, to save resources and reduce overproduction. They believe that working together rather than as individuals allows us to create more sustainable models of working and brings more comprehensive results.
The starting point of the concept is uncertainty which has become the main parameter of our contemporary condition. How can an art festival acknowledge this very situation to propose a dynamic research and artistic work which would lead us to the more sustainable and forward looking working methods to achieve an open-for-all form for coming together where we could enjoy common space and shared energy?
“We completely understand and embrace our position as outsiders to Icelandic art scene,” the curators say, “Thus we hope to offer a diversity of readings and interpretations of the local field from the viewpoint of the visitor but also from the viewpoint of someone who is returning to Iceland as we would like to work with international artists who have worked in residencies or have had some other connection with the field already beforehand. Along with the new commissions we are honoring the existing works and bringing them back to circulation.”
Estonian CCA is a non-profit expert institution in international cooperation projects in Estonia. Throughout the years CCA has organized and curated international art events in Estonia and abroad.