The focus of this exhibition is on variations of ornament in Baltic design. Exhibits range from jewellery to ceramics. While at first glance modernism may associate with pure colours and lines, the complete design history is significantly more varied and nuanced. In different regional narratives one may find variations of modernism that may diverge from or even contradict the usual preconceptions.

This exhibition focuses on the phenomenon known as the Baltic Modernism. Through ornament, this exhibition presents the history of regional modernism of three Baltic countries of closely intertwined cultural histories during the Soviet occupation. The aim is to show the similarities and variations in the designs of the three countries by introducing the principles of local modernism, when many objects and tendencies presented may not correspond to the paradigms of traditional modernism and, thus, fall in the realm of alternative histories. It is also interesting to observe an ornament in Soviet culture. An ornament carries an important role in design spheres influenced by crafts and folk arts, while it can also be seen as an anomaly in the production system built on rationalisation. Instead of a comprehensive narrative, the exhibition presents fragments and episodes, juxtaposing similar themes in the cultures of the three countries.

Exhibition includes objects from the collections of Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, Latvian Museum of Decorative Arts and Design (Latvian National Art Museum) and Lithuanian Museum of Applied Arts and Design (Lithuanian Art Museum).

Curator: Triin Jerlei (Vilnius University)
Exhibition design: Maria Pukk and Ivar Lubjak / OAAS Architects
Graphic design: Jesse O’Neill.
Thank you Kai Lobjakas, Velta Raudzepa, Dace Lavina, Džiuljeta Žiugždienė, Jūratė Meilūnienė, Ketli Tiitsar, Helen Adamson, Toomas Übner, Dagmar Siida, Kristi Paap, Epp Jerlei, Estonian National Archives, Lithuanian Central State Archives, Kristel and Andrus Jerlei, Vilnius University, Virginija Jurėnienė.

The second part of the exhibition was originally intended to open at Lithuanian Museum of Applied Arts and Design in late April.

Exhibition was funded by Lithuanian Research Council as part of the project “Baltic identity in Soviet industrial design”.

Publications

Leaflet “Ornament and Baltic Modern Design 1955-1985”

Gallery

Photos: Hedi Jaansoo