At the exhibition, the artist exhibits her latest works, WAITING FOR THE WHITE SHIP, and RESIDENCE OF CICADAS. Also exhibited are her painting series COSMOSCACTUS and RESIDENCE OF CICADAS. The best of the artist’s decades-long work [is] on display. To this end, a short film, MERY CRYSTAL RA, which summarises the artist's work, created by Igor Ruus will be presented.
In addition, on the evening of Thursday August 28th, visitors had a special opportunity to take part in a evening at the TV Tower with a free outdoor cinema screening of the film Fränk, alongside a guided tour from artist through her solo exhibition, and a panel discussion.
As the evening's moderator, journalist Raivo Lott wrote, “At today's Mery Crystal Ra artist talk and film presentation, the audience couldn't fit into the hall. First, there was an hour-long program in the 2nd floor hall, which included an introduction to the artist and her works, then a film program, and finally an artist talk, which was attended by artist Mery Crystal Ra, filmmaker Igor Ruus, writer and artist Kalle Mälberg, and the moderator of the talk… Then we went to the 21st floor to enjoy the exhibition. It was a warm and nice evening, with flowers and warm words.”
Kalle Mäberg talked about a film where Mery Crystal Ra's art was the main character and how Lennart Meri took it around the world to introduce Estonia (this film Koopakunst / “Cave Art” can be found online). Igor Ruus opened the topic of creators and creativity in a very meaningful and in-depth way. Especially, as Mery Crystal Ra states “in modern Estonia, where artists are persona non grata in society. In today's pragmatic times, where only money and the economy are talked about, there is great value in talking about sweat and creativity, those artists of the past generation who considered this topic important through their education.” Igor Ruus also talked about the top artists he has made films about and what kind of personalities he has portrayed.
[See a gallery of this event and the exhibition at the conclusion of this article.]
The artist herself states “All my life I have been looking for the very fine lines of air that are made visible by special light. Without light, they are non-existent, invisible. I have been looking for energies and synergies between people that would make sheets of paper fly. I have transformed them into my paintings, light sculptures, and light works,” said Mery Crystal Ra.
The philosophy of the exhibition lies in these lines of poetry: nothing turns into something / the invisible is made visible / i'm still chasing / after radical radiance / or the shiniest shining / is chasing after me / i seek the energies / i seek the synergies / between people / i seek the energies / which could make paper sheets fly / and i get the answers / from my dreams / at night
That sculpture survived the attack on the TV Tower by the Soviet Army in August 1991. There, the work welcomed the rebirth of the Republic of Estonia. Today, that legendary sculpture has disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
Why an exhibition at the TV Tower? In 1985, something unprecedented was born at the tower. Artist Mery Crystal Ra erected her glass light sculpture on the observation deck, the likes of which the world had never seen before. The sculpture used light-conducting materials, which at the time could only be found in scientific laboratories and military factories. Initially, the plan was to use lasers to illuminate the sculpture, but this was abandoned due to fire safety concerns. That sculpture survived the attack on the TV Tower by the Soviet Army in August 1991. There, the work welcomed the rebirth of the Republic of Estonia. Today, that legendary sculpture has disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
Tea Tammelaan designed the installation. Professor Jaak Kikas is the scientific advisor. Support for this exhibition comes from: William O'Keeffe, Safti Ltd USA (major sponsor); Klaasart OÜ, Jaan Laasik; Anton Jegorov, Videal Productions OÜ; Tintti Mikkonen, Firelady Finland; Margo Kõlar; Prof. Jaak Kikas; GlasStress OÜ; prof. Helle Metslang; Sirelpuu family; Tea Tammelaan; Lilleoru MTÜ; Anton Rütman, Netiabi; Hannes Hamburg; David Katz, U.S. Embassy.
Mery Crystal Ra has won numerous international competitions for her experimental, innovative, and conceptual works. Her light-glass sculptures were innovations, more than thirty years ahead of their time. The artist's first exhibition of light sculptures occurred in 1991. Her first light exhibition, which caused an international sensation, was in Pavilion 1 of the Estonian Fair in Pirita, Tallinn, Estonia. An international conference commemorating the 30th anniversary of that pioneering exhibition was held at KUMU Modern Art Museum in 2022.
In 2015, Mery Crystal Ra was selected in a global competition to exhibit at the closing ceremony of the UNESCO International Year of Light in Mérida, Mexico—an interactive solo exhibition titled LIGHT FOR PEACE. At the scientific conference for that event, she gave a presentation on her experimental glass-light sculptures for a Nobel panel titled “The future of light and Art.” In 2016, Mery Crysta Ra was chosen as the European Ambassador of Light. She won the “Light in the City/Northern Light” competition for European professional artists three times. The glass-light sculpture Flying Sheets of Paper, created for Finnish glass company Glaston, won the People's Choice Award at the global public art competition of the US magazine CODAworx, the world’s leading magazine for public art /architectural art.
Mery Crystal Ra's exhibition Parasite Beach at the Estonian Mining Museum in Kohtla Nõmme was also selected as one of the top five cultural works of the year at the competition of the Estonian Cultural Chamber in 2016. The artist has been nominated for the Kristjan Raud Prize several times. The Kristjan Raud Art Award is the oldest and most prestigious art award in Estonia, given out annually by the Estonian Artists' Association and the Tallinn City Government.
Fotogalerii
Photos courtesy of Meeli Kõiva
