An exhibition is a point on a continuum.
The lives of objects—and artists—precede and follow individual events. That solid-state matter continuously self-chronicles with chemical technology preceding any digital blockchain. Their confluence and your coexistence distinguish this moment. We stand where a collective flow of mortal forms beget flickers of mechanical joys.
The personal and professional dialogue of Marge and Maruša before this moment may be invisible to you. But it’s tangible. What you see, comes from months. What you don’t, comes from years.
Describing one artist’s practice as photographic and the other’s as architectural merely skims the facts. A loose reading of their biographies defaults anyone to this conclusion. Left under-described are emotion and intent. Both artists embody honesty, sincerity, and empathy as individuals and through their chosen profession. In their first collaboration in a long relationship, their work synthesizes this extant energy.
You are amongst an assembly of characters. Marge and Maruša gave them names, but these characters invited you in. Juliana asks you to sit, Saša beckons you nearer. Lucy grants power, Marička elicits introspection.
Their names represent a catalogue of personalities. They preside over an alphabet of love. Every letter standing for a gift of self you’ll be proud to stand behind. And this is only the beginning.
Text by JL Murtaugh
Marge Monko recently exhibited at Kai Art Center (Tallinn EE) and Museum Folkwang (Essen DE) alongside many others. She publishes a monograph this year with Lugemik (Tallinn EE). Marge was born in Tallinn and lives in Tallinn.
Maruša Sagadin recently exhibited at Christine König Galerie (Vienna AT) and Vestjyllands Art Pavilion (Jutland DK). She opens a solo exhibition this spring at Cukrarna (Ljubljana SI). Maruša was born in Ljubljana and lives in Vienna.
JL Murtaugh founded the contemporary art platform Syndicate and is the director of Autarkia (Vilnius LT). He was born in Chicago and lives in Vilnius.
Graphic design by Kersti Heile and Indrek Sirkel.
The artist’s gratitude goes to: Raivo Plado (Plado Art Tranport), Anne-Liis Hunt (Overall), Marko Usler (Artsmart), Villem Säre.
The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and Austrian Federal Council.
Exhibitions in Hobusepea gallery are supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Estonian Ministry of Culture and Liviko Ltd.
