Speaking Stones
Sometimes we can assemble a whole from fragments, and sometimes we must take the whole apart to understand it better. But what if the fragments no longer have a place because the whole has been destroyed?
The exhibition explores how stones and rocks have inspired stone carvers, as well as painters and jewellery artists, during different periods of history. The exhibition is being curated by Marge Laast.
The exhibition features previously unexhibited or rarely exhibited carved stones, models of carved stones, and works of art from Estonia’s medieval towns. Displayed in dialogue with these stones are stone-themed works by Estonian artists, including Oskar Kallis, Eduard Wiiralt, Juhan Muks and Peeter Mudist. A special section is devoted to Estonian jewellery art, featuring works by Raili Vinn, Kersti Kristlieb, Eve Margus-Villems, Margus Tänav and Mirjam Aun. In addition, videos, photographs, paintings, prints and sculptures help bring the stones’ stories to life.
Speaking Stones invites us to look closely at stone as one of the oldest and most traditional materials in the world. “The exhibition has been made possible by extraordinary people from many disciplines who care about our stony heritage: whether found in the earth’s crust, in the form of heritage objects or works of art, or studied as material or metaphor. Artists and geologists, art historians and geographers, heritage conservationists, historians, conservators and cartographers all act as champions for the often overlooked stone fragments, enabling them to tell their rich, many-layered stories,” says Marge Laast, the curator of the exhibition.
The exhibition’s basement level is dedicated to geology, inviting visitors to explore different types of Estonian limestone and to discover the potential they hold. Visitors can observe the remarkable diversity of limestone varieties and learn how identifying specific rock types or fossils can help solve mysteries of art history.
The basement exhibition also shows how the ancient sea shaped and engraved stone over millions of years, and how stone, in turn, has inspired architects and artists, from medieval craftsmen to contemporary creators.
The exhibition is accompanied by a diverse public programme. Guided city tours will take participants through Tallinn’s Old Town to explore stones and fossils. A series of exhibition tours will also be held.
Artists: Viivi Aavik, Adamson-Eric, Mirjam Aun, Carl Buddeus, Karl Burman, Eugen Gustav Dücker, Ojārs Feldbergs, Charlotte Margarethe Elisabeth von Gavel, August Mattias Hagen, Ehalill Halliste, Hermann Eduard Hartmann, Tatjana Iakovleva, Iris Jurma, Oskar Kallis, Tiiu Kirsipuu, Mari Käbin, Kersti Kristlieb, Triin Kukk, Leili Kuldkepp, Ede Kurrel, Eduard Philipp Körber, Eve Margus, John McGarity, Peeter Mudist, Juhan Muks, Winandt Nacke, Johann Naha, Aleksander Normak, Anu Paal, Arent Passer, August Georg Wilhelm Pezold, Villu Plink, Heino Potti, Haivi Raadik, Juhan Raudsepp, August Roosileht, Pavel Rotts, Martin Saks, Silja Saarepuu, Carl Sarap, Friedrich Sigismund Stern, Julius Friedrich Tempeltey, Georg Wilhelm Timm, Margus Tänav, Johann Carl Emmanuel von Ungern-Sternberg, Roman Vaher, Tiina Viirelaid, Raili Vinn, Eduard Wiiralt, Joachim Winter, Indrek Värv, Eva Juliane Magdalena Zoege von Manteuffel
Curator: Marge Laast
Exhibition and graphic design: Villu Plink
Exhibition team: Isabel Aaso-Zahradnikova, Andres Amos, Darja Andrejeva, Tanel Asmer, Iraida Burdina, Kaarel Eelma, Siim Hiis, Torm Isok, Darja Jefimova, Ulrika Jõemägi, Karin Kangur, Juta Kivimäe, Kersti Koll, Kersti Kuldna-Türkson, Merike Kurisoo, Kaja Kährik, Kärt Lend, Tõnis Medri, Aleksander Meresaar, Marit Must, Lisbet Niinepuu, Grete Nilp, Grete Ots, Maris Paal, Johann Põldra, Polina Richter, Tarmo Saaret, Mati Schönberg, Aleš Zahradnik, Laura Tahk, Elnara Taidre, Lea Tall, Allan Talu, Annika Teras, Kristiina Tiideberg, Uve Untera, Karin Vicente
We thank
Helle Perens, Helen Bome, Leho Ainsaar, Brian Hansen, Gea Sibola-Hansen, Iris Jurma, Juhan Kilumets, Villu Kadakas, Arvi Haak, Ojārs Feldbergs, Anneli Randla, Peeter Säre, Rein Einasto, Taavi Pae, Raivo Aunap, Riin Rebane, Mare Isakar, Kadri Tael, Madis Tuuder, Indrek Värv, Kai Kiudsoo-Värv, Kersti Markus, Arho Tuhkru, Maria Väinsar, Uku Sepsivart, Aleksei Turovski, Uno Trumm, Signe Vahur, Anne Untera, Hans Lõugas, Taavi Tiidor, Eve Koha, Margus Tiitsmaa, Sirje Eelma, Rait Prääts, Helen Vinogradov, Gundars Kalniņš, Kristaps Andersons
The Estonian History Museum, Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonian Museum of Natural History, Estonian National Heritage Board, Estonian National Museum, Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, Haapsalu Castle, Järvamaa Museum, Kaarma Church, Estonian Environmental Research Centre, Narva Art Residency, Narva City Government, Narva Museum, Pärnu Museum, Film Archive of the National Archives of Estonia, Sillamäe Museum, Sõrve Military Museum, Tallinn City Archives, Archives of the Heritage Protection Department of Tallinn City Government, Tallinn’s St Mary’s Cathedral, Tartu Art Museum, Tartu City Museum, University of Tartu, University of Tartu Natural History Museum, Viljandi Museum, Virumaa Museums.
