USEFUL (AB)USE

The exhibition focuses on being violent and malicious manipulation, #use – or rather #abuse – of loved ones and the world around us. We are living in a world where everything comes with a multilingual user and maintenance manual but where everyone has to build from scratch to live with their loved ones and find a way to a happy relationship sometimes through painful challenges. The world is a dangerous place where violent people always find justifications and reasons, and where victims acquire a heavenly gift to transform everything into goodness. The metamorphosis of victims who exit abusive relationships, survive socially accepted and unaccepted expectations and norms in the society and find themselves, keep relationships with close ones and environment that are based on love and care is a heroic achievement that deserves medals.

Elo Liiv is first and foremost recognized as a sculptor and a lecturer but she is also known as a promoter of human rights, sustainability and folk tradition. The keywords to her work are versatile, installation and experimental.
Liiv enjoys interaction with public space, creating shifts, composing with visuality, light. Her works reflect upon ideological and social subjects but also more profound psychoanalysis and mental states. Her sculptures and installations are extremely human, be it machines, animals or human beings. The viewer is left with a feeling that they know something more about them, that they are alive. The objects are portrayed in a meditative state of satisfaction, acceptance of themselves and their surroundings, but not as defeatists but rulers of the situation. While talking about serious subjects, the author manages to bring forward the absurdity of heart-wrenching situations and, instead of drowning into despair, invites us to find a key to the exit and show respect to life in all its forms.

There are no official openings at Gallery Noorus at the moment due to the wide spread of COVID-19.
The exhibition will be open until November 21st. Artist talk will take place on November 19 at 4 PM.

The artist is grateful for support and help: Cultural Endowment of Estonia, OÜ Kunst ja Pärimus, Massaazitool.ee, OÜ Karnaluks, MTÜ Valgusklubi, OÜ Arvutitark, Tartu Art College, MTÜ Toomteater, Kirsi Mari Mändla, Mare Abner, Anne Türnpu, Terje Lehtla, Michelle James, Reet Sink, Ülle Paltser, Karin Juhani, Kõue ja Õnne Heintalu, Suzanna Ivalo, Margo Lustberg.