Where? In the gallery of the Academic Library of Tallinn University, 1st floor (Rävala pst 10) When? 18.09-11.10.2024
Rene Haljasmäe and Tarrvi Laamann grew up among the pines of Nõmme and have been friends since childhood. Both are art masters from the Estonian Academy of Arts and internationally renowned creative individuals. The artists began their creative collaboration in 2000, when a unique form and content were created for the poetry collections of D. Kareva and J. Kaplinski for the international bookbinding exhibition “Scripta manent II” – body prints were intimately pressed onto the inner pages, and hands and faces were shaped into crystal covers.
Tarrvi has dedicated himself to the technique of woodcut and is an expert in the field. His aim is: “How to achieve maximum results with minimal means?” As an expressive artist, his work is diverse, vivid, and colorful. Rene explores old books and finds inspiration in historical binding structures, using modern materials.
This exhibition presents two facets. On the one hand, unique book art objects created over decades of collaboration and for international bookbinding exhibition competitions are showcased. On the other hand, the focus is on the reuse of graphics in the creation of new bindings and the application of xylography at the intersection of visual and applied arts.
On the gallery walls, 18 oil paintings on canvas from Tarrvi’s series “Banana Republic,” created in Jamaica in 2023, are exhibited in his signature technique.
The exhibition can be viewed at the gallery of the Academic Library of Tallinn University until 11.10.2024.
The press text was written and the exhibition curated by: Rene Haljasmäe, rene.haljasmae@gmail.com, 51900544.
Tarrvi Laamann, www.instagram.com/tarrvi.laamann, Bashment FM, https://idaidaida.net/en/shows/bashment-fm, Jamaica, www.laamann.ee/jamaicareis.
Note! At the same time, the exhibition “Bindings by Rene Haljasmäe” is open in the Baltic and 3rd floor reading room of the Research Library.