Each of these complexes carries a rich history, and it is likely that almost every Tallinn resident has had some personal connection with at least one of them over the years. However, within a few years, these landmarks, which signify our cultural heritage, will be replaced by new structures that align with contemporary objectives. “Fading as Mist” focuses on the in-between state of these buildings, where past and future ideals hold no significance.
Much has been written about the symbolism and importance of ruins, and this exhibition draws from these reflections. Frances Yates, for example, noted that ruins not only exist visibly but also live on as invisible reflections in human memory. John Ruskin praised the age and profound expressiveness of buildings—their glances, approval, or disapproval—etched into walls by the waves of humanity that have passed them by. Estonian thinkers such as Juhan Maiste have described ruins as challenges, as hopes for another life, and as reminders of what we think we need for the future. Leonhard Lapin observed that visiting ruins evokes a sense of the transience of existence, helping us to cope with the fleeting nature of time. This is just a glimpse of the many emotions and dreams that ruins can inspire.
Rather than seeing the slow decay of these structures as ugly or unpleasant (the process of which in some cases is already complete), the artist finds it beautiful and captivating. These buildings’ futures, while currently determined to embrace new ideals, could equally well involve their continued quiet fading into oblivion, into the embrace of nature and chaos. For the artist, experiencing decay restores faith in new beginnings. In ruins, past, present, and countless possible futures coexist simultaneously.
The exhibition seeks to immerse the viewer, even if just for a fleeting moment, in the endless spaces and corridors of these buildings where people might have once walked and gathered different experiences. The photographic art, created using the cyanotype technique, is complemented by a sound installation that will play continuously throughout the exhibition. The accompanying program includes a concert evening on January 12th at 7 PM, featuring original music by composer Marianna Liik, performed by cellist Theodor Sink.
Ave Palm: A visual artist working across multiple mediums, Palm draws inspiration from obscure natural phenomena, everyday peculiarities, and the poetry of ruins. Her practice includes photography, videography, graphic design, and installation art. Currently, she is focused on exploring and developing cyanotype techniques, integrating them with her growing interest in installation art. Palm has participated in exhibitions such as “Inside, Outside and Inside” (2022), “The Wind Still Rises in the Evenings” (2023), and “Everyday Small Life” (2023). Her first solo exhibition, “Drunken Time Under the Floorboards,” was open at Telliskivi Outdoor Gallery from February to April 2024, and her works were featured at the ArtVilnius Art Fair this fall.
Marianna Liik: A composer specializing in electroacoustic composition, Liik graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and furthered her studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp. She has created music for orchestras, ensembles, choirs, and electroacoustic works, as well as theater and design projects. Her music is characterized by a richness of details and colors, acoustic and electronic timbral fields, and a strong sense of form. Liik’s work has garnered several awards, and her compositions have been included in various contemporary music festivals worldwide. In 2022, she released her debut album, “Thirsteth for Light,” and in 2023, she received the Estonian Cultural Endowment’s Annual Award in Music.
Venue: ArtDepoo Gallery, Jahu Street 12 (Wed-Fri 12–6 PM, Sat 12–4 PM; call 213 at the gate)
Artist: Ave Palm
Composer: Marianna Liik
Performer: Theodor Sink, cellist
Sound installation: Kenn-Eerik Kannike, sound designer and technician
