IDEA

Estonian fashion (VI Artishok Biennial curated by Sten Ojavee)

The main aim of the exhibition is to offer a critical approach to the contemporary ideas about national identity and to offer different viewpoints on interpreting contemporary nationalism. To achieve this aim, the participating artists will be using the possibilities offered by fashion.

One starting point of VI AB as an exhibition of contemporary fashion is Anu Hint’s fashion project “I am Estonian” that was first shown in 2009 in the Hobusepea Gallery, Tallinn. It has later been exhibited in dozens of different countries and has therefore become the fashion exhibition that has represented Estonia the most in the world. According to the Estonian Association of Fashion Designers, the exhibition includes the most Estonian-like fashion design and a national style and contains “non-multicultural” continuity.

The aim of the VI AB is to challenge such closed perceptions of nationality and national fashion, to reflect the diversity of contemporary nationalism and to propose contemporary fashion that focuses on the national but not inside a closed and deterministic system. The backgrounds of the participating artists and writers are diverse. Some of the artists work with fashion on a daily basis, others are better known as visual artists. The critics come from different backgrounds including anthropology, art history, philosophy, social sciences, creative writing and fashion theory.

INSPIRATION

Seto culture, Yohji Yamamoto, Chanel ad (which helped my imagination on creating bespoke mask)

DIRECTION

Combining signature details of my art with the idea of highlighting beautiful culture through my own art. Seto coin necklaces and chin high brooches took other forms in my imagination with materials like sterling silver and aluminum