3.03. - 15.04.2018
Miniature portrait dolls exhibition “Statesmen” by Alma Maar
Alma
Maar comes from the Tõstamaa region; she has worked as a teacher and
also taught art and crafts classes. She has worked in Hiiumaa, Pärnu,
and most recently, at Are Basic School, where she also instructed
extracurricular art classes.
Alma Maar started to make dolls inspired by Edgar Valter's ‘pokus’. When Edgar Valter’s Pokuland was founded, a poku-making competition was announced. Children at Are Basic School grasped that opportunity. For Valter’s birthday, Maar made a Puuko, which depicted the author and artist. Valter liked it a lot. In this exhibition, Alma Maar shows statesmen: presidents of Estonia Konstantin Päts, Lennart Meri, and prime ministers Edgar Savisaar, Mart Laar, Andrus Ansip, Tiit Vähi, Andres Tarand, Juhan Parts, Mart Siimann and Siim Kallas.
The
figures have been created using a unique technique, which combines
sculpture and doll-making. The miniature figures are removed from the
world of dolls for a simple reason: they are not made for touching or
playing, opening up a fantasy world or a fairy-tale world. These
miniature human figures are connected with real life. However, a
parallel with the world of play still remains, and quite easily, the
visitor can imagine a symbolic big hand that arranges everything at
its own discretion. The rules of the game are set, and then you have
to fasten the seat belt to make the correct choices in the turbulence
of life. This game world is inspired by the faces of the figures and
their actions that are still in people's memory. The detailed,
precise elements in the figures are an evidence of the author's fine
craftsmanship and make the audience smile with recognition.
The
exhibition “Statesmen” is a statement of respect to people who
every day contribute to the functioning of our state, and a homage to
the republic that all these people represent.
In
the year of the 100th
anniversary of the Republic of Estoni, we all wish we would become
better versions of ourselves, as this would benefit our country and
our next of kin.
Anne Rudanovski and Mari Vallikivi
