05.09.2015–01.11.2015
The retrospective exhibition of the contemporary Estonian artist Kiwa in Tartu Art Museum, brings together the artist’s different alter egos and interdisciplinary oeuvre, which extends to almost 20 years. His first solo exhibition was “Lollipop’s Fiction” in 1996 in Tartu, which is followed by over twenty solo and numerous participations of group exhibitions in Estonia and abroad.
The exhibition derives from the intention to focus on the artist’s image, which functions just as a separate artwork. Using media as a public board of notices and wall of scribblings, Kiwa’s persona can be seen as the result of an ongoing performance. In the centre of Kiwa’s image are a constant game with identities and the ongoing use of the death of the author with the aim of defeating his self-portrait and escaping the possibility of having an exhaustive position as an author.
The book “Self-Portrait with the Unknown” is published to accompany the exhibtion. It contains Kiwa’s autobiographical text on becoming an artist, insights into subcultural scenes from the 1980s, about manipulating with the media, etc. Also included are the bibliography of media graffiti and the analysis of Kiwa’s strategies of constructing his image, compiled and written by Marika Agu.
During the exhibition the museum shop provides the best selection of ;paranoia publishing group’s books and it is possible to buy 3D-printed souvenier of the exhibited sculpture “N400”. Technically demanding production processes and the exhibition design is created by the architect Sille Pihlak.
Curator: Marika Agu
Exhibition design: Sille Pihlak
Graphic design: Tuuli Aule
Exhibition installation: Arvi Kuld, Urmo Teekivi
Editors: Marika Agu, Kiwa
Authors of the texts: Marika Agu, Rael Artel, Kiwa
Language editors: Paul Emmet, Aare Pilv
Translators: Karl Erik Saks, Hele Priimäe
Educational program: Kristel Sibul
Supporters: Cultural Endowment of Estonia, EDM LLC, Pelltech LLC, Science Centre Ahhaa, Silmani Elekter LTD
Thanks: Art Museum of Estonia, Karl Feigenbaum, Esta Frosch, Taavi Ilves, Laur Kivistik, Elvis Kollom, Jaanika Kuznetsova, Jaana Nõu, Sten Ojavee, Katrin Pilk, Peeter Talvistu, Elnara Taidre, Toomas Volkmann
