Estonia's First Drive-In Art Exhibition Awaits Visitors Below Freedom Square

In the parking lot beneath Freedom Square, the heart of Tallinn, the sculptures of renowned artists Edith Karlson and Jass Kaselaan are on display. This so-called drive-in exhibition can be conveniently visited both by car and on foot. The exhibition, created in cooperation with the City of Tallinn, was initiated by Merko, who has enriched Tallinn's urban space with more than 20 artworks over the years.

In the basement car park of Freedom Square, situated between the bastioned walls with a long history, an exhibition of contemporary works by two renowned Estonian sculptors, Edith Karlson and Jass Kaselaan, opened yesterday. On display from Karlson is a horse sculpture titled "Body and Spirit" and a series of sculptures cast in plaster depicting child-sized ghosts, collectively titled "Drama is in Your Head". From Jass Kaselaan, the sculpture groups "Seven Mice" and "Them and Me" are on view.

"It's wonderful to open an exhibition in a place where people don't normally come to view art. People come here for different reasons – to park their cars, to drive through for a moment, to move on. Usually it's assumed that art should be in a white room, in a quiet space, and in the right mood for the viewer. This place here is different, and that's exactly what makes this space interesting to me. Art in this space doesn't necessarily have to demand much time or deep contemplation – it can simply pass by for a moment," said sculptor Jass Kaselaan.

Tallinn's Mayor Peeter Raudsepp said at the opening of the exhibition that for Tallinn, it is important that public space is not merely functional, but also offers experiences. "This exhibition is a very good example of how cooperation between the city and business can make public space more diverse and lively. The city can create frameworks and opportunities, businesses can bring ideas and initiative – together something is created that lasts for the city and its people," Raudsepp rejoiced.

Tallinn's Old Town District Elder Nikita Groznov agreed that art doesn't always have to wait for viewers in a gallery. "Often it's even more interesting when art speaks to a person in an urban environment and invites them to discover it. The exhibition under Freedom Square shows that even an everyday urban space can offer experiences and food for thought, whether driving past in a car or walking through on foot," Groznov continued.

With the aim of enriching the shared living environment and providing Estonian artists with an opportunity to exhibit their works, Merko has installed more than 20 individual artworks and sculpture groups in Tallinn's public urban space.

"A builder's primary work is to construct quality buildings and structures. However, the environment around these buildings is also very important. It must be convenient and safe, but it should also create good emotions and be memorable. That's why we've brought art to the surroundings of the homes we've built, and to other places that people pass through when moving around Tallinn and going about their daily activities," said Merko Estonia's head Jaan Mäe.

Sculptor Edith Karlson expressed her gratitude to Merko, who has undertaken and implemented art projects. "We all know that creating something in public space almost always brings with it different opinions, and precisely for this reason it requires courage and a sense of responsibility from both commissioners and creators. For this, my sincere thanks and appreciation. I believe it is very important that our urban space be diverse and lively, and that there be room for different styles here. I wish a long life to such courage and entrepreneurship," said Karlson.

The artworks placed in urban space with Merko's support closest to the Freedom Square exhibition are the monk sculptures by Simson von Seakyll and Paul Männi in the King of Denmark's Garden. Merko has also installed contemporary facade lighting on the Old Town walls and towers on behalf of the Chapter and in cooperation with the City of Tallinn, which reminds passersby of history in the evening darkness and offers artistic experience.

Among the authors of the works in the Freedom Square exhibition, Jass Kaselaan's sculpture group "Toys" is exhibited in the Uus-Veerenni residential area, and Edith Karlson's giant dinosaur sculpture "The Good Old Days" in Noblessner. In addition to these artists, Merko has commissioned art for Tallinn's urban space from Heigo Jelle, Kalle Pruuden, Siim Poomann, Kersti Lootus, and Flo Kasearu.