2021 programme

Kogo Gallery programme for 2021: Ecology – Economy

Kogo gallery is happy to announce its upcoming exhibition programme for 2021. This year the exhibition and public programme will be introduced under Ecology – Economy, as a kind of ‘vibe’ – a general area that only seems to attract more discussion during these turbulent times. The economics of the human race and natural ecosystems are interdependent, causing environmental changes and social injustices. At the same time, such transformed economics as feminist and green economics could turn our focus towards the idea of greater sustainability, a reconnection with nature, justice between different social groups and care for our world, which it so desperately needs.
Moving away from the anthropocentric worldview is a painful process full of doubt, excuses and wandering in the dark. Although humans are searching for asylum in nature, the rebuilding of the bond and reuniting in one biomass is not easy, as the political system driven by a consumerist economy was created in total opposition to this kind of notion. Kogo gallery wants to address this complex relationship both directly and metaphorically through projects including solo exhibitions as well as international group shows and collaborative projects.

This year’s exhibition programme will correspond to the vibe by bringing together different voices to talk about the urgencies of ecology and economy. In February, Estonian artist Holger Loodus with writings by artist Tanel Rander will reintroduce the Mountain of Purgatory, a metaphorical entity described in the second part of Italian poet Dante Alighieri’s literary work “Divine Comedy” (1320). Remastered, the mountain today represents the world built by modern man, who is blinded by a belief in the value of progress. The Mountain of Purgatory should promise redemption for sinful man but the climate disaster could become hell on Earth from which there is no way back to Paradise.

At the same time, the relationships between human-kind and nature are not always in opposition and as proof we can view the work of Kogo artist Kristi Kongi, who is greatly inspired by nature and the aesthetic qualities it represents. In her new show, she will be seeking to trace the journey of colour, which for her is a medium for experience, thoughts and feelings, and a reflector of the soul that can be found everywhere.

The relationship between ecology and economy can be critically analysed by looking at the inner ecology of the art market. The summer exhibition curated by RAM (Rebel Art Management, Berlin), who are building exchange art projects between Estonia and Germany, will be addressing the question of both unhealthy relationships and power games that exist between artists and the art market, as well as the ethical struggles that the art market has to face in acknowledging environmental issues.

At the very end of the summer Kogo will curate a show of Baltic artists using Austrian writer Felix Salten’s famous children’s book “Bambi. The Life in the Woods” (1923) as inspiration to talk about the relationships between humans and the animal world in these times of environmental crises.

At the same time, the healing process in these turbulent times does not always have to be a direct action. We could similarly choose the Estonian artist Tanja Murasvakaja and her inner migration. Nature serves for the artist both as a mental and visual tool to find a beautiful place of healing; a place to regain confidence and happiness.