An exhibition opening in February presents the signs of power in the University Assembly Hall

The exhibition ‘Signs of Power’ focuses on the University of Tartu Assembly Hall and examines how this space has changed under the influence of different powers. An installation created by a group of young artists ‘Ajuokse’ (Brain Vomit) lends a future perspective to the exhibition.

Although the University of Tartu Assembly Hall may at first glance appear to be a neutral academic hall, it is in fact a notable example of a public space that has been decorated by different powers with the desire to perpetuate the ruling ideology. Such signs of power include works of art, ideological symbols, furnishings and even the layout of the space. The exhibition draws attention to the tools of four political ideologies, which are often not seen as such at first glance.

“The University Assembly Hall is certainly the most photographed hall in Tartu, but old photos sometimes show us a very different space than we are used to,” says Ken Ird, the curator of the exhibition. “So the idea was born to create an exhibition that would offer a critical look at the assembly hall and contemplate the choices made by the political powers of different eras when designing the space of the assembly hall. In preparing the exhibition, I have become better at reading the ideological messages, both visible and hidden, that every space carries around us with its signs of power.”  

The future perspective of the exhibition is given by the artist group Ajuokse, whose installation offers alternative symbols of power in a conscious society. This is how the exhibition seeks to answer the question of what kind of space and society we want to create today.

“Especially in this context, I considered it important to have the freedom to interpret this theme individually when preparing the installation,” says artist Stina Leek. “So my initial task for the artists was just a few keywords – the rest came from them.”

The curator of the exhibition is Ken Ird, the artist is Stina Leek, the graphic designer is Ingmar Järve, and the installation is created by the artist group Ajuokse (Stina Leek, Paul Lepasson, Sander Raudsepp, Ulrike Brett Uukkivi and Ann Tuksam). The consultants are Tiit Remm and Andreas Ventsel.

The exhibition ‘Signs of Power’ is open from 1 February to 5 October. The Art Museum, located in the main building of the University of Tartu, is open from Wednesday to Sunday 11–17, and starting from May, from Tuesday to Sunday 10–18.  The first Ken Ird and Stina Leek curatorial tour will take place on 1 February at 14:00, ticket €5.

The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and the University of Tartu Museum.