Noblessner, Kai Art Center building – Peetri 12, 10415, Tallinn, Estonia, +372 6405770, info@temnikova.ee. Wed–Fri 13–18 Sat–Sun 14–18, Closed on March 29.

Kaarel Kurismaa

Kaarel Kurismaa (b. 1939, Pärnu) is the first and most prominent sound art and sound installation artist in Estonia. A pioneer of kinetic art, his practice also expands to the fields of painting, animation, public space monumental art and stage installations.

Following his studies at Tartu Art School in late 1950s, Kurismaa entered the monumental painting department at the State Art Institute in 1965, while also working as an artist-decorator for the Tallinn Department Store. The job allowed him to work with a variety of readymade materials and forms, as well as offered an opportunity to exhibit his works at the store’s exhibitions. His first kinetic object comprised of a fireplace grid and several kitchen utensils originates from the year 1966, the first known kinetic object in Estonian art history.

Influenced by pop-art in the 1970s, Kurismaa continued to combine and reuse readymade materials, working around the limited access to consumer products in the USSR. The artist was also influential in Estonian new music scene throughout the decade, collaborating with the cult progressive rock group Mess and producing stage design for their performances.

From the late 1970s, Kurismaa worked on animated children’s films, painting, and public space commissions, realising close to ten kinetic and sound objects during the 1980s, though all of them have been demolished or lost. He resumed his focus on sound in the 1990s, concentrating on creating site-specific installations interacting with space using visual and acoustic means.

Kurismaa’s first retrospective exhibition “Yellow Light Orchestra” took place at KUMU Art Museum, Tallinn, in 2018, followed by a solo show “The Old Man and the Musical Score” at Temnikova & Kasela, Tallinn (2019-2020).

Selected works

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A Ringing Grey

ready-made, electronics, wood 176×59×5cm 2008

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Ringing Grey

ready-made, electronics, metal, wood 2008 - 2022

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Alarm Clock “Amati”

ready-made, plastic, wood, electronics 102×60×5cm 2007

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Viking Radio

ready-made, metal, plastic, electronics 34×27×15cm 2001 - 2003

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Green Wind (Mobile I)

ready-made, metal, electronics 81×83×5cm 1986

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Whispering Waves

plastic, a ready-made, electronics 25×125×5cm 2001

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Alma’s Railroad

metal, cardboard, electronics 1997

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A Timer

ready-made, wood 90×90cm 2013

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A Timer

ready-made, wood 90×90cm 2013

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¼ of a Solstice

wood, plastic, foam polystyrene, electronics 22×43×5cm 2004

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Saturn

ready-made, plastic, electronics 80×60×5cm 2003

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A Growler

ready-made, plastic, electronics 173×50×5cm 1993

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Mobile No. 8

ready-made, electronics, plastic, metal 160×55×55cm 1980

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Reflection of Light

enamel, oil, cardboard 120×151cm 1982

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Untitled / Am Fenster II / with Mari Kurismaa

oil, canvas 50×70cm 1994

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Püramiidid / Pyramids

oil, linen canvas 160×150cm 1989

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A Current

enamel, canvas 81×116cm 1975

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Tsoon / Zone

oil, linen canvas 185×200×1cm 1987

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Dr Tulipe

enamel, canvas 65×57cm 1975

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Gallery Exhibitions

Other Exhibitions

Fairs

Press