Mari Kurismaa. Twilight Geometry
Mari Kurismaa’s (b. 1956) first retrospective exhibition presents an overview of her wide-ranging practice, extending from painting and interior design to graphic art, actions, artist’s books and slide programmes. On view are her legendary paintings – long established as classics of Estonian art – alongside early experimental works, architectural drawings, as well as tapestry and costume designs, several of which are being exhibited for the first time.
Gallery
Curator Mari Laanemets on the exhibition:
Having graduated in 1979 from the State Art Institute of the Estonian SSR as a furniture and interior designer, Kurismaa’s oeuvre brings together several strands of 20th-century European art: conceptualism, surrealism and metaphysical painting, with references to antiquity and postmodern architectural thought. Her art has been shaped both by the classicist urban space of Tartu and the Baltic-German manor culture, and her works often enter into dialogue with historical forms and layers of cultural memory.
Geometry plays a central role in Kurismaa’s work. Yet for the artist it is less a system of order than a poetic language shaped by humanistic ideals. Geometry, the golden ratio and symmetry appear not as compositional devices but as perceptual tools. The exhibition title Twilight Geometry also points to this rethinking of geometry: her paintings unfold in twilight, that moment of transition where boundaries blur and new meanings can gradually emerge.
The exhibition invites viewers to engage with Mari Kurismaa’s memorable visual idiom and conceptual world, where emotional sensitivity is interwoven with intellectual depth.
Team
Curator: Mari Laanemets
Exhibition designers: b210 architects (Katrin Koov, Karin Tõugu, Nele Šverns), Mari Kurismaa
Graphic design: Tuuli Aule
Technical manager: Tõnis Medri
Coordinator: Anastassia Langinen
Exhibition team:
Liis-Marel Aak, Richard Adang, Andres Amos, Darja Andrejeva, Tanel Asmer, Kaarel Eelma, Pärtel Eelma, Erik Hallik, Ivar-Kristjan Hein, Maari Hinsberg, Erik Hõim, Daniil Južaninov, Kristjan Jõemägi, Liisa Kaljula, Mihkel Kosk, Kaie Kukk, Ketlin Käpp, Uku Langebraun, Maria Lota Lumiste, Madli Mihkelson, Kristina Papstel, Villu Plink, Johann Põldra, Renita Raudsepp, Brigita Reinert, Mati Schönberg, Mihhail Staško, Laura Tahk, Allan Talu, Terje Tammearu, Eva Tammemägi, Uve Untera, Madli Valk
We thank:
Marika Agu, Ülle Blumenfeldt, Eha Garšnek, Ruth Huimerind, Anu Jaanson, Mari Kaljuste, Tõnu Kaljuste, Mart Kalm, Raivo Kelomees, Jüri Kermik, Peeter Kukk, Reeli Kõiv, Karin Laansoo, Tamara Luuk, Tiina and Peeter Nõges, Jaan Ollik, Karin Paulus, Priit Põldme, Valeri Pärs, Kaie Sheripov, Aet Sorokolet, Mari-Liis Tammi, Toomas Tiivel, Riina Vooglaid, Marje Üksine
Tartu Art Museum, Estonian Museum of Architecture, Postimehe Fond SA, Estonian Artists’ Association, Viinistu Art Museum, AkzoNobel, SEB Art Collection, Port of Tallinn, Tallinn Airport, Saaremaa Municipality Art Collection, Tallinn Culture & Sports Department, Temnikova & Kasela Gallery, Allee Gallery, Jaak Huimerind’s collection, Vilen Künnapu’s collection, Katrin and Argo Vaikla’s collection, Reigo Kuivjõgi’s Art Collection, and private collections
