The web version of the exhibition “Expedition Wunderlich: 11 Interior Architects” is now available. The exhibition and the website are a product of collaboration between the Estonian Academy of Arts Department of Interior Architecture and the Museum of Estonian Architecture. The web version of the exhibition features all the pieces exhibitied at the museum as well as English excerpts from the interviews with the interior architects.
“Expedition Wunderlich” is a symbolic homage to the works and professional activity of Richard Wunderlich (1902–1976). Wunderlich was an interior architect and furniture designer, the first director (1940–1941) of what is now the EAA Department of Interior Architecture, and the first known Estonian interior architect to have acquired a degree in that field – from 1928–1929, he studied interior architecture at the Kölner Werkschulen in Cologne, Germany on a state scholarship. Thus, Wunderlich is a key figure in the development and professionalisation of the field of Estonian interior architecture.
The projects from the architects’ student years – no matter whether they stand as examples of various layers of 1940s–1950s Stalinism or 1960s–1980s Modernism – reflect both the pedagogical principles of the time and broader societal processes. The graduate projects meant to design buildings that were actually getting built are more realistic, balanced, and thoroughly-developed. At the same time, one can observe among the fantasy projects brimming creativity and spatial fantasies that could not have been carried out within the Soviet reality.
“Expedition Wunderlich” was exhibited in the Museum of Estonian Architecture’s cellar hall from 28.11.2015-28.02.2016.
Participants: Bruno Tomberg, Leila Pärtelpoeg, Vello Asi, Teno Velbri, Mait Summatavet, Taevo Gans, Aulo Padar, Juta Lember, Eerik Olle, Pille Lausmäe, Taso Mähar
Curator: Carl-Dag Lige carldag@arhitektuurimuuseum.ee
Producer: Hannes Praks hannes.praks@artun.ee
Photography: Renee Altrov
Exhibition design: Hannes Praks, Katrin Talvik, Merilin Tee, Sabine Suuster, Martin Saar, Karl Taul, Alden Jõgisuu, Tõnu Lensment
