Author:
Kadri Asmer

The exhibition „Wandering in the storms of the world. Art created in the shadows of war: Geislingen 1944 – Tartu 2024"

80 years have passed since the great escape, when an estimated 80,000 Estonians were forced to leave their homes. More than half of them found temporary or permanent refuge in Germany, including in the Geislingen refugee camp. There, Estonians developed their own community, establishing their own school, newspapers, amateur dramatics group and a choir in a remarkably short time.

"Art reflects what is happening in the society. This exhibition presents some topics that artists engaged in during the war. The artworks demonstrate the importance of culture in the self-determination of nations.

Kadri Asmer

Unfortunately, Europe is in a similar situation today, as many people have been forced to seek refuge from war and some of them have come to Tartu. The exhibition introduces Ukrainian artists living and working in Tartu – Viktoria Berezina, Anna Ryazanova, Hanna Davõdova, Martha Martovska and others.

The exhibition also gives an insight into lives and works of three Estonian artists who lived in Geislingen and who had studied in Tartu – Agathe Veeber, Endel Kõks and Hans Tsirk.

The exhibition ponders the question of what is the meaning of art and creativity in the foreign culture at the time when the homeland is engulfed in war. Artworks, archival materials as well as artists’ personal stories are displayed.

Getting there

  • The permanent exhibition is in the University of Tartu Art Museum on the first floor of the university’s main building.
  • A wooden ramp can be used to help cross elevated areas in the Art Museum.

Seating

  • The exhibition rooms, the assembly hall and the hallways of the main building have several chairs and benches with backs.

Read about the accessibility of the entire building here.

Curators: Kadri Asmer, Ingrid Sahk

A consultant: Kaja Kumer-Haukanõmm

Project Manager: Kadri Asmer

Designer: Kadri Hallik

Communication and marketing: Maria Kullamägi, Ilona Piirimägi


 
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