The exhibit observes the first visit to Canada by the University of Tartu Women's Choir who sang into our hearts in Toronto and Ottawa last May. Viewed from the café end of the hallway and back, it is a chronology of the two-week concert tour. The visitor starting to view the exhibit from the opposite end, curiously enough, receives the benefit of an actually more striking beginning.
The series is a bit undisciplined. The backings in different colours invite comparisons with a scrapbook, particularly in cases where a number of prints have been placed within one frame. Like a school project. I used to be a teacher so that might be forgivable.
In spite of the above shortcomings, I find that the one powerful feature I managed to convey was emotional expression. Look at the the faces of the women in various choral settings and especially in a wild Estonian sing-along!
Then there are faces of people interacting with the choir. I caught a cheering audience in Ottawa on two different focal lengths and captured the wistful looks of farewell from people at Summer Camp Seedrioru (Elora). The last shot of waving hands and arms sticking out of a departing yellow school bus might be called manipulative on my part but it was real.
The two personalities that stand out in the show are the choral director, Triin Koch, easily recognizable, and the Hon. Peter Van Loan, who is seen posing with the choir in front of the Parliament Buildings. He is also seen in a proud moment in an out-of-focus photo that looks like a painting with my attempt at impressionism.
My earnest thanks to the the worthy Estonian House Art Committee who allowed and helped me to set up these heartfelt memories from a year ago.
Andres Raudsepp
