Vergo Vernik
Site-specific Objects in The Former Military Airfield in Haapsalu
| Artist: | Vergo Vernik |
| Title: | Site-specific Objects in The Former Military Airfield in Haapsalu |
| Date: | 1998 |
| Technique: Material: |
photo photo paper |
| Height (cm): | 21.0 |
| Width (cm): | 30.5 |
| Description: | The site-specific installation by the sculptor Vergo Vernik is situated in the transformer centre of a former military airport. In such a meaningful environment it is enough for the artist to point out the objects and let the space do the talking. Based on a list of Soviet officers who had left the centre, Vernik placed a name of a serviceman above every empty transformer bay. ‘Power', ‘foreign force' and ‘occupation' often sound like concepts that are abstract and anonymous, however they are always linked to specific people. Vernik's installation provokes a certain sense of alienation based on the conflict between specific and abstract, ‘now' and history. The abandoned airport seems like a warning sign and its emptiness should somehow create a feeling of relief and freedom. The events that took place are more strongly perpetuated in the monstrous buildings that have lost their meaning, than in people's minds. Names on the wall provide a nearly human dimension to the environment and raise mental images of each story. It is as if the ‘guilt' diminishes when it is being divided into parts and makes it difficult to judge a particular person. Names placed on the wall resemble gravestones (after all they refer to the ones who have left) and the empty transformer centre is reminiscent of the latrines of the Roman legions where the tradition of scribbling on the walls of public toilets begun.* Both the airport in Haapsalu and an era of Estonian history are linked to the large military machine that has been working for thousands of years. Anu Allas * Juta Kivimäe, Vergo Vernik. - Ruum 312A. Viron nykytaidetta/Estonian Contemporary Art. Exhibition catalogue. Oulu & Hyvinkää, 2000. |
| Related categories: | Contemporary Art |
| Copyright notice: | Art Museum of Estonia |
| AME collection: | Contemporary Art Collection |
| Collection number: | FV 127 |
| Accretion number: | EKM j 48800 |
| Muis reference | http://muis.ee/museaalView/1298626 |
| File info: |
Source type: digital photography File type: TIF File size: 30.70MB Resolution: 3946*2717px @ 300dpi |
