The Theatrical World in Estonian Graphic Arts in the 1970s and 1980s
Location: 4th floor, Cabinet of Prints and Drawings
The exhibition “The World of Theatre in Estonian Graphic Art of the 1970s–1980s” showcases graphic sheets and theatre posters influenced by surrealism, representing the most extensive part of the Art Museum of Estonia’s collection – graphic art.
“In the 1970s–1980s, the cultural field in Estonia was a closed space, like a theatre stage, where attention was focused like a spotlight,” said the exhibition curator Anne Untera. During these years, theatre also fulfilled roles far beyond drama and literature – including those related to politics, historiography, and more. The rituals of theatre continue to captivate people because they represent a connection to the broader cultural field and help transcend social reality.
Vive Tolli created several reprints from her 1970s–1980s plates specifically for the exhibition. Her graphic works depict people caught in motion, layered spatial dimensions, and meaningful props – all essential elements of musical theatre. In Tolli’s work, the architecture of Tallinn’s Old Town is also linked to theatre, with the city wall enclosing what for her becomes a vast stage.
The spontaneous structure of Marju Mutsu’s etchings often relates to a philosophical “glass bead game.” For her, the joy of creation was equal to the responsibility of both actor and artist.
Theatre has always served as a way to approach the classics of world culture. The stage, whether as a performance space or an arena under open sky, can also represent the theatre of life or the abode of the muses – Parnassus. “In this way, the theatre-themed graphics of Enno Ootsing and Anu Juurak on display can be viewed,” added Anne Untera.
The second half of the exhibition presents Estonian poster art from the museum’s graphic design collection. Alongside the clean colors, clearly readable forms, and fonts of pop art (such as in the works of Leo Lapin), photomontage and stage effects began to be used in cultural posters. Given the technical limitations of the time, before the so-called digital revolution, artists created a distinctive school of design.
Ülo Emmus, along with the designer-photographer duo Villu Järmut and Enn Kärmas, were leading poster artists whose theatrical photomontages were surreal, provocative, and full of layered meanings. The exhibition also features cultural posters by Aili Ermel and Jüri Kass from the graphic design collection.
By happy coincidence, the Estonian theatre-themed graphic and poster art exhibition coincides with an exhibition of Polish theatre giant Tadeusz Kantor at Kumu. “This allows us to view artistic processes that occurred in two countries during nearly the same period, even though Kantor was a theatre artist who became a world-renowned director,” added Anne Untera.
Curator: Anne Untera
Exhibition design: Villu Plink
We thank:
Vive Tolli
