Exhibition about creative reuse

Exhibition about creative reuse “Famous People from Tartu”

The Ice Age Centre is now hosting an exhibition of works created by Tartu school students from recycled materials, featuring portraits of famous creative figures from Tartu.

This unique art project showcases portraits of well-known residents of Tartu, as well as those born or having worked there. The portraits have been crafted from recycled materials by students from grades 4 to 9 in Tartu and Tartu County schools.

Using materials such as corks, old CDs, Barbie doll parts, and other surprising items, the young artists have created 22 portraits of notable Tartu figures. The exhibition includes faces of individuals like Hando Runnel, Peeter Volkonski, Ivar Põllu, Kristiina Ehin, Marju Lauristin, Arnold Rüütel, Oskar Luts, Merle Jääger, and Gunnar Graps.

Initially displayed on Küüni Street in Tartu, the art project has now reached the environmental floor of the Ice Age Centre to illustrate the impact of overconsumption and the necessity of recycling. The exhibition curator is Kadri Kosk, an art and drama teacher at Tartu Raatuse School and an artist.

According to Kaupo Metsa, the guide and educational program coordinator at the Ice Age Centre, the youth art project greatly complements the centre’s activities. “As an environmental and nature education centre, we constantly seek ways to explain humanity’s role on planet Earth and emphasize the importance of recycling existing materials,” he added.

Kadri Kosk, known for her creative reuse initiatives and as a guide for students, believes that children best adopt an eco-friendly mindset through hands-on activities. “Reading from a textbook or listening to a teacher is one thing, but doing it yourself has a completely different impact. Collaborative creation also emphasizes cooperation as a vital skill in today’s world,” she explained.

The art project featuring famous people from Tartu is part of the main program of European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 and will be open on the third floor of the Ice Age Centre until the end of the year. After the exhibition ends, this part of the display will be temporarily closed to begin construction of a new environmental-themed exhibit.