1st

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2021

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printing on paper (postcards), birch glulam, varnish, shelf supports

 

EKA Gallery — Estonian Academy of Arts (January 2021)

Tallinn City Gallery (April – May 2021)

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The installation "1st" deals with the reduction of social inequality on the example of the increase and diversification of the role of women in society. Historical photographs depict women who became part of the Estonian history, being the first female person in a certain position (e.g., architect) or in a field of life (e.g., Olympic winner). The rise of women to many positions has been difficult and only became possible at an accelerating pace in the 20th century. Exhibits are not photographs in the strict sense - they are postcards. Visitors are invited to pick the postcards up to see the fact about every woman becoming the first. A visitor can take the postcard(s) with him / her and send it / them to relatives or friends by regular mail. The function of the postcard is to be a channel which, due to its archaic nature, still recalls the long history and institutionalization of gender inequality and on the other hand marks the continuing need for communication activities, allowing the message about it to spread. The choice of material for making shelves is conceptually related to the theme of the installation. The shelves are made of birch glulam, which adds a greater emphasis to the message of archaicness and institutionalization, because it is birch that is related to femininity in the Estonian world of thought.