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A New Book Published "The Härm Family in Several Acts"
The idea of this book emerged when we were organising the exhibition Three Talented Generations. The Härm Family at the Kondas Centre in Viljandi in 2022. The exhibition showcased the artistic work of Lilian Härm (1927–2021), Endel Härm (1923–1996), Hanno Härm (1952–2021), and Albert Vahtramäe (1885–1965), and briefly introduced the activities of Härmo Härm (b 1949), August Härm (1896–1990) and Oskar Härm (1893–1985). It became clear that we had a responsibility to make use of the rich material available and document the story of this remarkable family.
The collaborative effort of several authors resulted in a book that explores the history of the Härm family from various perspectives: through personal memories, family history, and cultural-historical analyses, encompassing visual art, music, theatre, literature, education, and local history. Rather than merely the story of one family, this is a part of Estonia’s cultural history, demonstrating how creativity and intellect build a strong sense of identity that helps one cope even during the most challenging times.
The authors explore August and Oskar Härm’s role in shaping Viljandi’s cultural life, Albert Vahtramäe’s work as a theatre artist, Lilian and Endel Härm’s contributions to applied graphics, book illustration, and painting, Voldemar Metsamärt’s work as a translator and teacher, and the artistic and musical activities of brothers Härmo and Hanno Härm. This is a culturally and artistically diverse book, rich in imagery, where for the first time, members of one family are examined through texts as significant figures in Estonian art and cultural history. The articles provide overviews of their creative work, offer fresh interpretations, and place their contributions in a broader cultural context. The book spans approximately a hundred years (ca. 1920–2020), and most of the visual material has never been published before.
Compiled by: Mari Vallikivi and Mare Hunt
Authors: Mare Hunt, Aita Härm, Pille Jänes, Tõnu Kukk, Sandra Nuut, Tõnis Parksepp, Eva Laantee Reintamm, Lauri Sommer, Kaja Susi, and Mari Vallikivi
Publisher: Kondas Centre
Supported by Estonian Cultural Endowment
Price: €30.00 at the Kondas Centre
Hidden Worlds Expanding. Eastern European Outsider Art
The exhibition displays more than 200 works from the collections of historical and
contemporary Outsider Art from 10 countries by a total of 59 artists. Mostly, it is art born
in social isolation in psychiatric hospitals or special care homes. There are also works
created in the course of art therapy sessions or studios under the guidance of
instructors.
Outsider artworks cannot often be categorised within a particular style, distinguished
geographically or placed in a specific era. They do, however, have a certain universality,
lack of ambition and compromise, and a deeply felt sincerity. In some cases, art is the
creator’s only means of communication with the outside world.
The exhibition Hidden Worlds Expanding takes place simultaneously in Viljandi, Tartu
and Valga. Opened at the same time, these exhibitions are conceptually interrelated
and form a complementary whole.
Read more HERE!
The idea of this book emerged when we were organising the exhibition Three Talented Generations. The Härm Family at the Kondas Centre in Viljandi in 2022. The exhibition showcased the artistic work of Lilian Härm (1927–2021), Endel Härm (1923–1996), Hanno Härm (1952–2021), and Albert Vahtramäe (1885–1965), and briefly introduced the activities of Härmo Härm (b 1949), August Härm (1896–1990) and Oskar Härm (1893–1985). It became clear that we had a responsibility to make use of the rich material available and document the story of this remarkable family.
The collaborative effort of several authors resulted in a book that explores the history of the Härm family from various perspectives: through personal memories, family history, and cultural-historical analyses, encompassing visual art, music, theatre, literature, education, and local history. Rather than merely the story of one family, this is a part of Estonia’s cultural history, demonstrating how creativity and intellect build a strong sense of identity that helps one cope even during the most challenging times.
The authors explore August and Oskar Härm’s role in shaping Viljandi’s cultural life, Albert Vahtramäe’s work as a theatre artist, Lilian and Endel Härm’s contributions to applied graphics, book illustration, and painting, Voldemar Metsamärt’s work as a translator and teacher, and the artistic and musical activities of brothers Härmo and Hanno Härm. This is a culturally and artistically diverse book, rich in imagery, where for the first time, members of one family are examined through texts as significant figures in Estonian art and cultural history. The articles provide overviews of their creative work, offer fresh interpretations, and place their contributions in a broader cultural context. The book spans approximately a hundred years (ca. 1920–2020), and most of the visual material has never been published before.
Compiled by: Mari Vallikivi and Mare Hunt
Authors: Mare Hunt, Aita Härm, Pille Jänes, Tõnu Kukk, Sandra Nuut, Tõnis Parksepp, Eva Laantee Reintamm, Lauri Sommer, Kaja Susi, and Mari Vallikivi
Publisher: Kondas Centre
Supported by Estonian Cultural Endowment
Price: €30.00 at the Kondas Centre
Hidden Worlds Expanding. Eastern European Outsider Art
1/06–29/09/2024
The exhibition Hidden Worlds Expanding presents Outsider Art mainly created in
Eastern Europe, bringing for the first time together in one exhibition exceptional works
hitherto hidden from the broader public in so many countries.
Eastern Europe, bringing for the first time together in one exhibition exceptional works
hitherto hidden from the broader public in so many countries.
The exhibition displays more than 200 works from the collections of historical and
contemporary Outsider Art from 10 countries by a total of 59 artists. Mostly, it is art born
in social isolation in psychiatric hospitals or special care homes. There are also works
created in the course of art therapy sessions or studios under the guidance of
instructors.
Outsider artworks cannot often be categorised within a particular style, distinguished
geographically or placed in a specific era. They do, however, have a certain universality,
lack of ambition and compromise, and a deeply felt sincerity. In some cases, art is the
creator’s only means of communication with the outside world.
The exhibition Hidden Worlds Expanding takes place simultaneously in Viljandi, Tartu
and Valga. Opened at the same time, these exhibitions are conceptually interrelated
and form a complementary whole.
Read more HERE!