7/28/2019 Important People of Estonian Culture and Estonian Architectural Works

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7/28/2019 Important People of Estonian Culture and Estonian Architectural Works

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7/28/2019 Important People of Estonian Culture and Estonian Architectural Works

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Estonian architecture has always been flexible and quick to adapt to the new. Often, however, thishas resulted in the mere copying of the great figures of international architecture, or mechanical usage offashionable tricks of the trade. After regaining independence, Estonia witnessed a vigorous boom in

building and rebuilding, in order to prove Estonias orientation towards the West. Todays architecture is

fashioned by dozens of new steel and mirrored office buildings, modern car lots, neon-lit supermarkets and

private houses built to the taste of the elite. The achievements of the first half of the 20th century are thenative basis for the work of successive generations, represented by the works of Emil Urbel, RaivoPuusepp, Vilen Knnapu, Andres Siim, Kalle Vellevoog etc.

Estonian towns for centuries have quietly developed on their own, without much intervention. Alsotoday, the process flows freely, not following any fixed planning, with a few decisions thrown in by menof property and politicians. Tallinn remains a city of contrasts; new glass towers in the vicinity of narrowstreets and low buildings make the whole picture even more eclectic. Each new skyscraper tries to reach

higher than the previous one. The early 21st century city, however, is open to the new; there is an obviousattempt to create a dense contemporary city centre.

One look at this beautiful Renaissance- style guild hall with its bright red, green and gold door is enough to explain why it's a regular feature on

every Tallinn postcard stand. This was the historic home of the Brotherhood of Black Heads, Medievalguild made up of young, single merchants and foreigners. The guild's patron saint was the Moorish St.Mauritius, an early Christian martyr who died in Switzerland around 280-300 A.D. A profile of his head is

pictured on the Brotherhood's coat of arms, hence the guild's odd name. A 14th-century residential buildingprobably occupied this site when the Black Heads bought up the property in the early 1500s. Nowadays theguild hall is nearly the only preserved Renaissance building in Tallinn, and is a popular venue for concertsand receptions.

Kumu, the main building of Art Museum of Estonia, serves both asEstonia's national gallery and as a centre for contemporary art. The complex itself is a work of art - it wasopened in 2006 after nearly a decade of planning and construction, and is considered a modern architecturalmasterpiece. Curves and sharp edges mark out the copper and limestone structure, which is built into the sideof a limestone cliff. Kumu's exhibition aim to appeal simultaneously to a diversity of audiences. Exhibitionsdisplay both classical and contemporary art and everything in between. The museum program features art from

the 18th century until today, Estonian art until the Second World War, art of the Soviet era and a changingprogram of contemporary art. In 2008 European Museum of the Year Award was given to Kumu Art Museum.