Philosophicum Hall Gallery
The Hall Gallery aims to uphold the idea of the universitas, which connects different disciplines, and presents artistic creation from the university's employees, students and alumni.
Works are exhibited on the walls of the main stairwell on four floors.
Exhibitions are usually open Mon-Fri 8.00-19.45 and Sat-Sun 8.00-18.00.
Previous exhibitions
The photo exhibition „Shimmer“ by Ave Mets opened on 4 October in the University of Tartu Philosophicum Hall Gallery (Jakobi 2, Tartu). The exhibition offered shimmer, impressions and plays of light from different locations in Estonia and all over the world for viewers to discover.
„Shimmer“ exhibited „pictures of glinting, blinding, refracting, deforming light on frozen, liquid and vaporized water; water that we walk on, water we look through, water that carries“, as the author herself described the exhibition. The author’s unique vision captured scenes from nature, the Emajõgi, the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean and rivers of Pullman, as well as water in its different forms in city streets, for example.
Ave Mets is a research fellow in philosophy of science at the Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics, University of Tartu. Ave Mets studied at the University of Tartu and RWTH Aachen University (PhD, 2013). She developed a deeper interest in photography around the time she began her university studies. Some of the works at the exhibition were photographed during the time Ave Mets spent as a Fulbright visiting scholar in the USA in 2022. Her studies at the Estonian Nautical School have also provided creative inspiration for her photography.
„Shimmer“ was part of the thematic series „Order and Chaos“ called to life by the network of six art galleries of the University of Tartu.
The exhibition "Poetics of Survival" brought us the Umwelten of animals
A multidisciplinary student exhibition emerged under the leadership of Timo Maran, Professor of Ecosemiotics and Environmental Humanities, as a result of an interdisciplinary research project and a semiotics master's course. The course combined semiotics, natural sciences, and methods of creative inquiry. The exhibition, opened on 9 May, presented the Umwelten of animals to the public. It was also part of the Prima Vista and the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 programmes.
The mass extinction of species is one of the most significant manifestations of the global environmental crisis. Often, we are unaware of these disappearing species because there are no cultural representations or expressions about them. Therefore, the environmental crisis is not only a topic for the natural sciences, but also a question of deep cultural patterns, texts, and interpretations necessary for understanding these changes in the nature.
The exhibition was the result of an interdisciplinary research project and a two-year master's course titled "Umwelt Analysis and Animal Representations". The course combined the Umwelt theory, known in semiotics, with scientific knowledge about other species, and methods of creative inquiry. Jakob von Uexküll's theory describes the subjective worlds or Umwelten of organisms, revealing the meaning(s) of the world through the perspectives of different living beings. Thus, the common goal of the artworks was to express the Umwelt of animals through cultural means. Viewers were presented with thirteen students’ works in different genres — poetry, paintings, artistic objects, sound, and video installations. The main organiser of the exhibition, Professor of Ecosemiotics and Environmental Humanities Timo Maran emphasised that "Our main aim is to show how combining science and creativity enables the transmission of skills that allow each of us to shape new and more sustainable cultural patterns."
The exhibition was opened with an English-language panel discussion, focusing on the poetics of survival, endangered species, linking science and creative culture, and inclusive teaching methods. The discussion featured students Marta Kucza, Robertho Paredes and Oscar Miyamoto, as well as Professor Timo Maran and Jane Remm.
The project and exhibition "Poetics of Survival" were part of the international literature festival Prima Vista and the main programme of the European Capital of Culture, Tartu 2024. The development of the course methodology was part of the Estonian Research Council grant "Meanings of endangered species in culture: ecology, semiotic modelling, and reception“ within which the conference "Traces of Extinction: Species Loss, Solastalgia, and Semiotics of Recovery" took place on 5–7 June 2024. The conference focused on the cultural, subjective, and semiotic aspects of extinction and is also part of the Nature Creativity Festival.
At the end of 2023 visitors could view an exhibition of creative works by art teachers from all over Tartu and Tartu County. Works from more than 20 art teachers, including alumni of the University of Tartu, Pallas University of Applied Sciences and University of Tallinn, varied from hyperrealistic to abstract and lyrical to everyday scenes. All participating art teachers are also practicing artists.
Artists: Anneli Kaasik, Kadri Kosk, Jana Pokotylo, Kadri Krüüner, Elts Kuhhi, Helle Lõhmus, Maret Kuura, Mari Vaaderpall, Kadri Jürimaa, Ene Hurt, Kaia Kallaste, Mariana Jürimäe, Kristel Roog, Monika Väärt, Tiina Meos-Sillaots, Üllar Sillaots, Helene Põdra, Helle Saue, Paul Kunman, Külli Sari, Erna Tamm ja Anu Loigu. Näituse on kujundanud Maret Kuura ja Helle Lõhmus.
The exhibition "Silmale nähtamatu" ("Invisible to the Eye") showed both the scientific and creative side of the work of the university's archaeologists and archaeology students.
In 2023, the University of Tartu celebrated the 30 year anniversary of the Professorship of Liberal Arts with an exhibition about the professors' contribution to the University of Tartu and Estonian cultural life in general.
In March and April of 2023, the gallery exhibited works written by and about professor Ülo Matjus.
Exhibition "Observations from Nature" by Maarja Nõmmik in Philosophicum Hall Gallery
9.09.2022
Exhibition "Observations from Nature" by Maarja Nõmmik is open for visitors in Philosophicum Hall Gallery from Monday, 3. October.
When it comes to art, the author is most fascinated with its ability to find something important in almost anyone or anything. Art observes that which otherwise might go unnoticed, reflects the brightest, darkest and weirdest recesses of the soul, asks beautiful and painful questions alike. It can also glance at such times and places which do not yet exist or no longer exist. Or couldn’t exist at all.
The current exhibition presents an assortment of observations, questions which the author has pondered through the years. One can find musings on what it means to be human or what is „real“ as well as abstract textures and patterns alongside studies of nature at the exhibition. Each floor contemplates a different theme, but in the end, all of them depict some facet of existence.
Maarja Nõmmik has a degree in painting from the University of Tartu. Her MA project „Me-less“ was exhibited at Tartu Art Museum in 2016. Maarja has previously worked as an academic affairs specialist in the Department of Arts and Centre for Arts of the University of Tartu. She also taught sketching, self-portraiture and experimental painting at the centre.
These days you can find Maarja at the dean’s office of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, where she works as a secretary and curator of the Philosophicum Hall Gallery. She is also a freelance painter and illustrator and teaches short courses at the Pallas University of Applied Sciences.
„The Layout of the Holy Clementine“ - exhibition by Jaanus Eensalu in Philosophicum Hall Gallery
27.04.2022
The exhibition “The Layout of the Holy Clementine” by Jaanus Eensalu, an artist and lecturer at the Pallas College of Art, will be opened on 29 April at 17 in the Philosophicum Hall Gallery.
One can find wordplay, visual play and colour play at the exhibition. There is humor in the paintings side by side with contemplations and thought-provoking stories. Those who delve into the paintings may recognize a few familiar episodes and ideas, which are connected to Tartu’s science, spiritual and cultural scene. However, the exhibition will not be lacking universal human moments that most of us can relate to.
Jaanus Eensalu dedicates this exhibition to the School of Theology and Religious Studies of the University of Tartu. He says: "The best and purest communication in the world is kindness. In its teaching and research, the School continues to value the classical approach, but also pays increasing attention to innovative and interdisciplinary directions. Against this backdrop, the School of Theology and Religious Studies is characterized by a personal approach and a homely atmosphere.
Jaanus Eensalu is a painter, graphic designer and lecturer. He has mastered his creative education at the University of Tartu and the Pallas University of Applied Sciences. In the latter he is currently holding the position of Head of Department and Associate Professor. Jaanus Eensalu is a member of the Estonian Association of Graphic Designers and Tartu Artists´ Union. He has been exhibiting since 1971 and has also created a number of exhibition designs. He is a valued designer and media artist.
An exhibition of imitation painting, masks and puppets from the students of UT's VIljandi Culture Academy.
Exhibition view, photo by Sander Mändoja
A photo exhibition by Jaana Eigi-Watkin presenting the experience of the year 2020 through snapshots of two moments in each month.
Jaana Eigi-Watkin "November"
A photo exhibition by two Hebrew scholars explored different encounters in the language of images.
Photo by Anu Põldsam
Photo and video exhibition on the topic of the Estonian artist group Tallinnfilm Surrealists.
A solo exhibition by French artist Jean Arnaud combined French and Estonian cultural and natural history. Part of the Response Events research-creation project.
"To the Edge" by Jean Arnaud
A landscape painting exhibition by associate professor of philosophy of science Endla Lõhkivi exhibited both traditional painting and digital painting.
Painting by Endla Lõhkivi
The exhibition of paintings by physicist and philosopher Madis Kõiv examined his works form the philosophical point of view.
Madis Kõiv painting. Source: private collection
Margit Sutrop's photos, inspired by the music of Arvo Pärt, searched for the extraordinary in ordinary situations.
"Spiegel im Spiegel" by Margit Sutrop