Mark Soosaar's Exhibition 'After-pickers': We Got the Idea from Farmers in France
Mark Soosaar's exhibition 'After-pickers' at the Pärnu New Art Museum draws inspiration from a French agricultural tradition that allows others to harvest leftover crops after the farmers have finished their work.
The exhibition 'After-pickers' at the Pärnu New Art Museum showcases works from filmmaker Mark Soosaar, textile artist Karin Tislar, and poet Jüri Talvet. The concept for the exhibition is inspired by a tradition among French farmers, where they allow individuals to come and pick leftover crops after they have harvested their own fields. This practice highlights community involvement and the value of shared resources, which Soosaar sought to capture through this exhibition.
Soosaar elaborated on the origins of the exhibition's theme, citing the film work of Agnès Varda, who, in a documentary, explored similar themes not from foreign fields but from her own previous creations. This idea resonates with the exhibition's goal of revisiting one's own artistic contributions while also encouraging a communal experience in art appreciation and creation. The exhibition features a selection of works showcasing not only Soosaar's filmmaking but also pieces from Tislar and Talvet, emphasizing the collaborative nature of creative expression.
In sharing personal artworks and literary creations in the exhibit, Tislar and Talvet, Soosaar's good friend and classmate, contribute to the narrative of ‘After-pickers’ by revealing how art can emerge from individual efforts while simultaneously embracing collaborative efforts within the community. Their participation reflects a rich tapestry of artistic dialogue, highlighting how various forms of art can intertwine and inspire one another, ultimately enriching the cultural landscape in Estonia and beyond.