Jaanus Samma at 35th edition of the Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts 'From the void came gifts of the cosmos', Slovenia.

Jaanus Samma will present his works at the 35th edition of the Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts “From the void came gifts of the cosmos.”, Slovenia.

Taking place from September 15, 2023, to January 14, 2024.

Curated by Ibrahim Mahama and his team

The installation Wedding Rug takes inspiration from a traditional Estonian wedding custom that persisted until the early 20th century. According to this custom, the bride would personally weave a carpet for her wedding, representing a potent symbol believed to bring marital happiness. The wedding rug typically portrays the couple, along with significant objects and events in their lives, incorporating intricate decorations and geometric symbols.

As weddings were generally held in winter, the decorative wedding carpet served the practical purpose of providing warmth to the feet during sleigh rides. Later, the carpet was only taken out on special occasions, be it church-related anniversaries or even funerals.
The wedding rug held significant importance as part of the traditional dowry, which consisted of handicrafts created by the bride. Apart from the wedding rug, the dowry primarily consisted of gifts for the groom’s relatives, reflecting a customary practice prevalent among the Baltic Finnic peoples.

Currently, Estonia, under a liberal government, is engaged in debates surrounding the establishment of marriage equality. These discussions have sparked intense societal discussions. If the proposed changes are adopted, Estonia would become the first post-Soviet country to allow same-sex couples to register their marriage, signifying a significant shift in societal values.