Exhibition “Expedition: Finno-Ugrians and the Power of Images”

The Finno-Ugric identity has become part of Estonians’ identity through the interplay of art and science. Expeditions by artists, filmmakers, and others to Finno-Ugric peoples, and the creations inspired by them, have intertwined with research work and museum collections. Why did one have to travel so far to find oneself? And why did the ethnographic study of other indigenous peoples become one of the ways Estonians search for their own identity?
This exhibition at the Kumu Art Museum in Tallinn seeks answers by bringing together the Estonian National Museum’s Finno-Ugric collections, ethnographic drawings and photos from ERKI students’ expeditions, and art, film, and design based on Finno-Ugric heritage. Contemporary artists Karl Joonas Alamaa and Jaanus Samma create new connections with the heritage.
For visitors to Tallinn, the exhibition offers an exciting opportunity to discover Estonian culture, identity, and Finno-Ugric roots from a new perspective. A visit to Kumu can be pleasantly combined with exploring Kadriorg’s rich art and cultural environment.