TALLINN.- Image Drain, the main exhibition of contemporary art biennial Tallinn Photomonth, is now open at Tallinn Art Hall and Museum of Photography, with the participation of 13 artists from all over the world. The exhibition, curated by Anthea Buys, combines artworks with a fictional story about a Russian businessman, his dreams and his interest in the technology of photography.

In today’s era of total saturation with images, the outlines of the photograph have blurred completely. A photographic image used to be a unique wonder, the creation of which required minutes, if not hours to be spent in the darkroom. Nowadays, taking a picture is as simple as pressing a button and the result can be seen by countless people all over the world. What is a true photo, then? Is it an image on paper or pixels on a glowing screen? And what is that gleam you see in front of your eyes, when you close them before falling asleep?

“The exhibition uses the notion of the photographic as an approach to the visual world, rather than photography as an instrument limited by certain technical specifications. In this understanding, a photograph is how one regards the world and makes sense of it, and therefore photography does not have to be limited to the production of traditional photographs,” curator Anthea Buys describes the premise of her exhibition. In addition to the opportunity to appreciate conventional photos, visitors of Image Drain can dive into the world of virtual reality, to experience audio dramas, installations and video pieces.

The exhibition will stay open until October 8th.

Curator: Anthea Buys

Artists: Andrew Amorim (NO), Victoria Durnak (NO), Mathijs van Geest (NO/NL), Carl Johan Högberg (NL), Henri Hütt (EE), Toril Johannessen (NO), Paul Kuimet (EE), Laura Kuusk (EE), Antonis Pittas (GR/NL), Mårten Spångberg (SE), André Tehrani (NO), James Webb (ZA), Kristina Õllek (EE)

The exhibition is accompanied by an informational booklet that includes descriptions of the art pieces, the curatorial essay and a work of fiction about Osip Mandelstam.

Tallinn Art Hall (Vabaduse väljak 8, Tallinn) is opened from noon to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, and from noon to 6 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday. Entrance fee is 3 € / 6 € / 9 €.

Tallinn Museum of Photography (Raekoja 4, Tallinn) is opened from 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m., from Wednesday to Monday. Admission to the exhibition costs 1€.