Tõnis Vint and His Aesthetic Universe
Location: 4th floor, B-wing
The exhibition summarises some of the directions pursued in the art practices of Tõnis Vint, one of the key figures in Estonian art in the second half of the 20th century. These are characterised by aesthetic universalism and the aspiration to create a harmonious visual environment. The book that accompanies the exhibition provides the first thorough survey of Tõnis Vint’s work.
“This exhibition examines Tõnis Vint’s art practices as a unique total work of art, which offers a model for ordering both the space inside the picture and the actual environment,” said the exhibition curator Elnara Taidre. Vint’s aesthetic universalism and the aspiration to create a harmonious visual environment have found expression in graphic series, in book, poster, stage and interior designs and in visions for the redesign of Tallinn’s cityscape, as well as in comparative studies of visual sign systems.”
The exhibition is comprised of more than 200 works by Tõnis Vint, which were executed between1960 and 2000 and are related to different visual art fields.
After graduating from the State Art Institute of the Estonian S.S.R. in 1967, Tõnis Vint (b. 1942) worked as a graphic designer, creating innovative designs and changing the appearance of several magazines. At the same time, he worked as a fine graphic artist, staying in dialogue with both contemporary art and earlier (art) traditions, including the ornamental systems of various cultures and Oriental aesthetics.
An integral part of Tõnis Vint’s activities has been the collecting of information on visual phenomena and its introduction in publications, as well as lectures at his home. Starting in the later 1960s, Tõnis Vint’s home was a significant centre of unofficial art life, and it became a source of alternative art knowledge during the period when Estonia regained its independence.
“Tõnis Vint is a personality of exceptional importance – an artist, artistic thinker and teacher – whose concept of art has been a stimulus for the representatives of various art fields and generations,” said Elnara Taidre.
The objective of the book “Tõnis Vint and His Aesthetic Universe”, which accompanies the exhibition, is broader and more diverse than just being an exhibition catalogue. Articles by three authors explore various aspects of Tõnis Vint’s (art) activities: his artistic work, research on art and visual culture, and his teachings. The selection of reproductions provide an overview of Tõnis Vint’s most important works and graphic series, of his book, poster, stage and interior designs, and of his architectural visions and studies of sign systems. The publication of the book was supported by the Estonian Endowment for Culture.
Curator: Elnara Taidre
Exhibition design: Raul Kalvo, Toomas Adrikorn
Graphic design: Tuuli Aule
We thank:
Tõnis and Eva Vint, the Museum of Estonian Architecture, the National Library of Estonia, the Estonian Theatre and Music Museum, the Tartu Art Museum, the Tallinn Art Hall, Jaan Klošeiko, Peeter Laurits, Martin Rünk, Mare Vint, Ene Kull, Marge Laast, Mikk Meelak, Igor Vvedenski
