Olga Temnikova's Exhibition „One Night Stand”, features writer (:)Kivisildnik and actor Ilya Nartov.
I took the theme of a one night stand as the basis for my show. I use sexual behavior patterns for metaphors of the Artist and Public communication. Other metaphors in this case could be either a) institutional or based on private capital prostitution, or commissioned art work; b) masturbation or scheme, where the artist is just imagining a perfect receiver of their art message, ignoring the real audiences expectations and prejudices; c) and of course full-grown lovers relationship, where the artist and the publics communication is working perfectly.
The relationship of artist and art public in a society is similar to traditional patriarchal male-female relationship: the “man” (read: art lover, art collector) is responsible for the material part, emotional affinity is on the woman's (read: artist's) shoulders. In theory we could have some happy families, but in reality it often comes to nothing more than a one night stand. With this exhibition I am trying to break out from the typical sociopathy of the Estonian artist and romantic sorrows of a young Werther: for me to have a real audience (“man”) and for us (“woman”) there is nothing left for us, but to love him, communicate with him on the correct level and make the best of it.
The more you know about art the less you know about art
Its about everything, It's about my complex. The thing that gets you going.
What gets me going
The monster inside of me.
Michael Jackson
Many people were too snobbish to like him, now they are so relieved he is dead, because its ok to like him.
what Dad thinks
He liked it. We are very open and have always been since he is a mum and a dad, he is informed. He is an amateur artist, his main thing is making models of ships. He's an engineer and a historian obsessed with maritime.
doing anything else but art
Everything is art. Anything we do like putting things in order is already searching for harmony. If I'm cleaning my apartment it's already art. But if I'm being destructive it is probably not art. But then you have to destroy otherwise its too much in the world.
explaining to the audience
Well I knew I would have to. It was becoming too eclectic to be a pop project. What I had to explain was what art people would understand without any explanation. But to friends, they are mainly not art people, I explained to help them to get to another level. Because there are many levels, it's like a cake. That's what it's supposed to be. You taste it and you don't know what ingredients are inside. It has to be like that to create a discussion. I'm not sure I can say anything good but I painted some good stuff. You cant put it in one sentence, its problematic. But that's ok because it's a reflection of me, I just have to accept it.
ridiculous questions
Media critics don't ask questions they just write what they think. The most cheesy Russian newspaper, a journalist came to make a photo report, they usually do as they expected a lot of known Russian people at the opening. She was walking around asking them 'What do they think about a one night stand, have they had one?". When it was explained to her that it was not about this, then she was really puzzled. I liked that. You see I didn't get that she didn't get it. My friend told me how she was working this job and I was like whoah.
I like when people ask me questions, this feels like having a girls party when you are fourteen. I think no-one will read this anyway, they will just look at the pictures.
press coverage and reading what the critics say
It was on national tv, radio, Postimes, Paevaleht, all the newspapers webeditions, Eesti express...
Yes, of course I read them. But soon I will hire someone to.
Generally everyone liked it, if they don't like one picture then they liked another. Someone said it was built up the way Zhukov was protecting Leningrad. It was (the Exhibition) made so you can't really hate it, it was well balanced, a sure thing.
After the opening
I was in France and watched Gabrielle by French director Patrice Chereau, who also made Intimacy - (a psychological drama my favourite type of movie). Very close to life, better than life. There is this Elizabeth Hubert, it's very good. It was so good to be in France watching it. In the end, the Italians have the best mafia movies, the French love stories and the English the best comedies.
depth and stardom
I am this pop person, going on the surface. Every year you get deeper and deeper. Usually people don't get anymore stupid, although usually a president after the election and rapidly.
That's how it is with stars, you just feel it, they are like icons, like they have been prayed to so much that they are loaded, they accumulate so much energy, it stays in them, they give it but they get so much. You load your charisma year after year, if you are not too stupid. Let professionals do their jobs, smart people think etc..beautiful people stay cute.
And then what?
This is the best question I ever..
the images in 'A One Night Stand'
From the Internet and a couple were my friends posing. This big picture. I wasn't drunk or using any drugs while painting. I didn't do dots with my vagina.
words
I think words are meaningless. They say that language is lying. Certain symbols used to explain something very personal, always generalising. The difference between an intelligent person and one who is not, is they can say who they quote. I think others have to decide if you are intelligent. Not you. I declare myself a lazy person, but not hopeless.
selling paintings
Several are sold, and one I can't sell yet as people are bargaining. Those paintings for some people are like couple therapy. In Estonia most of the artists by the time of their 3rd show, the museums start buying. It's harder to get into international collections, for this you need a good gallerist and presence at the international shows. I'm not ready for one, I'm not a good artist. Yet. I need to just do more.
Olga Temnikova
a graduate of the Estonian Academy of Arts, Graphic Design, Bachelor Degree (2003). Now working as a freelance graphic painter/designer/illustrator and gallerist in Tallinn.
exhibitions
2009 One Night Stand, Tallinn City Gallery
2007 I have killed Anna Politkovskaya, Draakoni Gallery, Tallinn
2004 Bücherstube am Fleth Gallery, Glückstadt, Germany
2003 “Plakat”, EKA galerii
“Noored Euroopas”, Schwerin, Germany
Ruovesi Viljamakassini Gallery, Finland
Bücherstube am Fleth Gallery, Glückstadt, Germany
2002 Summer Virrat group exhibition, Finland
Valkeakoski exhibition, Finland
Estonian Art Academy, Graphic design department chosen works
2001 Siemens Art club exhibition
Summer Visuvesi Seurakuntotalo personal painting exhibition
1998 Tallin's Russian Drama Theatre Still life group exhibition
|
1 On Monday, God created the heavens and the earth, and dearly loved his homeland, and went to bed after watching Renegade. |
|
2 On Tuesday, God created animals, birds and fish and he loved them, like we love our pets, from morning till night, watched Renegade and hit the sack. |
|
3 On Wednesday God created Meelis and loved him dearly for eight hours, had two beers during Renegade and passed out immediately after the second commercial break. |
|
4 On Thursday God grew tired of Meelis, too, and out of boredom pulled all Meelis's ribs out one by one and got wasted during Rob Zombie's horror movie House of 1000 Corpses. |
|
5 On Friday God made Meelis's ribs into Vjachko and told them: ‘Love each other, I can't be bothered anymore. The friendly staff at my club Angel will take care of you. There's the door.’ The Creator of the Universe himself does not remember that conversation. |
|
6 On Saturday Meelis and Vjachko loved each other for 24 hours. God spent that sunny day cursing and searching for the TV remote among empty beer bottles. |
|
7 On Sunday Meelis and Vjachko decided to get married and God had an anti-alcohol implant put in. All three local TV stations spoke about both of these events in their consumer-friendly news programs. |
|
Explanation The story is in a sharp, even solemn mood The story is based upon the harmonious accord of the Old Testament's version of creation of the World and the present-day mythology - television The link between peoples' friendship and the joys and problems of sexual minorities is intentional The happy end comes from a pure heart (:)Kivisildnik |
Olga Temnikova
jun 14 '09
2 contributions
Olga is a graduate of the Estonian Academy of Arts, Graphic Design, Bachelor Degree (2003). Now working as a freelance graphic painter/designer/illustrator and gallerist in Tallinn.
published • January 14th '10
jan 15 '10 04:31
JS
Olga - have seen you on FB through Paul's page. Have to say you're a talented artist. Also this was a great interview - loved how you show up some "critics" for what they really are! Good stuff. Keep it up!