Last week, the exhibition The House of the Leaking Sky by Estonian artist Merike Estna, representing Estonia at the 61st Venice Biennale, was officially opened. The exhibition explores the themes of living painting and the history of women’s art. The opening itself began with the artist’s first brushstrokes on blank canvases. Over the course of the Biennale, a painting measuring 22 metres in length and six metres in width will gradually emerge.

Law firm COBALT is supporting the Estonian Pavilion for the seventh time. Our Managing Partner Jaanus Mody and Partner Peeter Kutman attended the opening in Venice. Peeter Kutman is also a member of the board of the Estonian Centre for Contemporary Art, which organises Estonia’s participation in the Venice Biennale. In addition, we hosted a dinner in Venice for the Estonian team and supporters.

The Estonian Pavilion is located in a former church building now used as a community centre. Upon entering the space, visitors encounter painted imagery on the floor inspired by art history and Estonian folk culture, interwoven with Estna’s distinctive visual language. More than 25,000 glazed ceramic tiles were produced as part of the preparatory work for the exhibition, covering the entire pavilion floor. The paintings themselves will take shape over several months in full view of visitors.

As part of the exhibition’s preparation, more than 25,000 glazed ceramic tiles were produced to cover the pavilion floor. The paintings themselves will emerge over several months in front of visitors.

About Merike Estna 

Speaking at the opening, Estna explained that she has long been fascinated by the idea of painting existing as part of life itself, rather than as a privileged object created by an artistic genius.

“Through the exhibition opening in Venice, I want to shift the focus from the finished result to the process itself. When the pavilion opens, the works are not complete – they come into being before people’s eyes, offering a constantly evolving experience,” said Estna (ERR).

Living and working between Tallinn and Mexico City, Estna’s practice reflects on painting as a medium and explores the relationship between art and everyday life. She frequently incorporates craft practices into her work, combining them with painterly techniques in order to draw attention to artistic traditions that have historically remained on the margins of painting. More information about Merike Estna is available on the website of the Estonian Centre for Contemporary Art.

The exhibition is curated by Natalia Sielewicz, with exhibition design created in collaboration with Berlin-based architecture studio D_P_S. Estna’s costumes were designed by fashion designer Lilli Jahilo.

The Venice Biennale will remain open to visitors until 22 November. Estonia’s participation in the Venice Biennale is organised by the Estonian Centre for Contemporary Art and funded by the Ministry of Culture.

This year, COBALT’s Latvian office also supported Latvia’s participation in the Venice Biennale.

We share with you moments from the opening of the pavilion and the exhibition.

Photos: Agne Raceviciute / Estonian Centre for Contemporary Art & Peeter Kutman ja Jaanus Mody.