TALLINN — An unusual and haunting creative project has taken over the campus of the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA), bringing forgotten histories and mysterious artifacts out of the shadows and into the public eye. An exhibition created by graphic design students, inspired by a mysterious archive hidden away in the basement of the university’s library, officially opened on Friday at the institution’s prominent Billboard Gallery.
The exhibition, which blends contemporary graphic design practices with thematic storytelling and performance elements, draws directly from materials that have long remained out of sight beneath the main floors of the academic building. According to organizers, the initiative transforms dusty, forgotten archival items into a vibrant, contemporary artistic statement that confronts viewers with the unseen elements of the university’s physical and cultural environment.
The conceptual foundation of the project leans heavily into the mysterious and the uncanny, framing the archival contents not merely as historical documents or design ephemera, but as entities waiting to be acknowledged. A press release issued ahead of the opening set a dramatic and evocative tone for the showcase, capturing the imaginative spirit of the student creators.
"Who is haunting the school walls, lurking beyond the veil? Hidden in the basement of the EKA library lies an archive of ghosts and restless spirits who are asking to be released," the press release stated, describing the core premise behind the undertaking.
Using this enigmatic archive as a fundamental starting point, the graphic design students embarked on a multifaceted creative journey. They developed an exhibition specifically tailored for the EKA Billboard Gallery, a space known for showcasing bold, large-scale visual statements to the university community and passersby alike. However, the project did not stop at a traditional gallery display; the creative exploration organically expanded into a printed publication and culminated in a performative ritual.
"Using the archive as a starting point, the graphic design students have developed an exhibition for the EKA Billboard Gallery, which also became a publication and, finally, an exorcism. This, of course, meant that all working materials were haunted: everything was spooky," the organizers explained, detailing the immersive nature of the design process.
The exhibition’s curator, Andrew Kuus-Hill, offered further insight into the meticulous and unconventional methodology required to bring the project to life. Rather than treating the archival materials with traditional academic detachment, the participants embraced the thematic framing of the project, incorporating performance and playful ritualism into the public unveiling of their work.
Describing the process leading up to the grand opening, Kuus-Hill noted the hands-on and immersive steps taken by the curatorial and student team. "We have enchanted 250 A3-sized prints, pasted them on the billboard, and with the phantoms by our side, performed an exorcism to set them free. Sorcerer hats will be provided on site," Kuus-Hill said, highlighting the interactive and whimsical elements designed to engage visitors from the moment they encounter the installation.
The resulting exhibition, aptly titled "Beyond the Veil," represents a unique intersection of graphic design, archival exploration, and performance art. By breathing new life into forgotten materials housed within the Estonian Academy of Arts library basement, the students have successfully transformed hidden administrative or historical remnants into a dynamic cultural conversation piece.
Art enthusiasts, students, and curious members of the public will have ample opportunity to experience the installation firsthand. The exhibition is currently open to visitors at the EKA Billboard Gallery, situated on Kotzebue tänav in the Estonian capital of Tallinn, and will remain on view through December 24, inviting all who pass by to peer beyond the veil and confront the creative spirits lurking within the academy’s walls.
