13 September 2012

Collection of Desires

Collection of Desires. Privatized Art
EKKM - the Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia, Tallinn
28.7.-26.8.12
Contemporary Estonian art from private collections

As the curator put it: this is like entering the mind of an art collector, or in fact five. I am both surprised and not surprised what I find there. There are not surprisingly mostly paintings or other stuff for hanging on the wall, only one video as an exception. There are also not surprisingly a massive amount of female motives, as all the collectors are male, in fact one large room is completely covered in pictures of women. But there are also suprising works by known artist, early works, and paintings from artists more known for other techniques.

This is both an exhibition showing a lot of the Estonian contemporary artists' works, but also an opportunity to see works that are usually unaccessible. At the same time it shows what sells, what has the largest market value.

The selection from the collections is made by the curator. It would be very interesting to see a selection made by the collectors themselves. Or by the artists. They have already made their selections, but would they have done the same today?

Offices views
Photos of offices with art in place

Exhibition view
The room of women - the far most popular motive for the collectors

Exhibition view
More women

Jaan Toomik: Armin
Jaan Toomik: Armin
- a painting from an artist I mostly know for his video works

Marko Mäetamm: Left First Corner
Marko Mäetamm: Left First Corner
Early work from the artist that now draw repulsive, violent scenes. 

 Alice Kask: Crawler
 Alice Kask: Crawler
- and here an example of familiar works from a great artist

 Laura Põld: Scene with the Apple
Laura Põld: Scene with the Apple
-the jewel of the exhibition, a video/painting installation by Laura Põld


more impressions from the exhibition here: