„Decolonize This“ is first part of aristic research that is focused on geographical identity creation and politics in Estonian and in wider East-European context, using decolonial practices and postcolonial theories. The exhibition observes different layers of coloniality and by questions and hypothetical statements, moves from one layer (imperialism, occupation, self-colonialism of nation states, neocolonialism) to another, criticizing the production and exploitation of massive regional identities, and analyzing the systematically marginalized East-European identity and it`s original relation with the Western society. The aim is to widen geographical consciousness and place sensation of the community, as well as critical thinking in respect of the past and the present. The exhibition presents certain places and their hypothetical and hidden meanings that are not widely known because of certain processes of identity politics. 100 kilos of cornmeal will be shared for free to persons interested or in need.



The exhibition is opened at 6 PM, 30.04., Y Gallery, Tartu
The exhibition is opened from 30.04. to 20.05.2012 

(photo series, size: 28cm x 40cm with 1 cm white frame in header and footer)

Estonian Natonal Museum is planning to build Memory Field to former military airport of Raadi – it is a huge and modern building, designed in Paris. In the project image, there is also a shadow of a giant spider sculpture of Louise Bourgeois. The neocolonialist monster. It is symptomatic that Memory Park was expected to be funded by European Union tourism development resources. This fact refers to the matrix of local identity politics. It is frightening that mainly the former Soviet satellites and ex-Yugoslavian countries link themselves with East-European identity, while the Baltic states, that were inside of the Union, isolate and consider themselves North-Europe.

Unlike Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey, there are no spots named after Dudayev in Estonia. During the time of the Singing Revolution, Dudayev ignored the orders from Moscow to shut down the liberation movements in Tartu by using force. Therefore Estonia owes him a lot. Dudayev lived in Friendship avenue in Tartu. Naming some places after Dudayev wouldn`t hook them with any certain identity, but refer to a variable space of freedom, inherent to East-Europe.

There used to be beautiful and succulent green fields, opposite to Raadi mansion. Instead of the highway, there was a narrow gravel road, rarely used by anyone. Economic growth turned these fields into wasteland, that was covered with cheap buildings, sold for lifelong bank loans. The growth stopped and some houses were left unfinished. Wasteland is the landscape and consequence of dissatisfaction and greed.

There was a top secret warehouse for nuclear warheads of Soviet army in Aki forests near Luunja. For some reason it is not a widely known fact in Estonia. Because of Aki forests and Raadi airport, Tartu was a part of global Soviet threat, that the Western world was afraid of.

Video works

1. "Untitled", in a separate room, projected to the wall: http://vimeo.com/38289351
2. "1983", in the last room, from DVD, TV, headphones: http://vimeo.com/40964091
3. "Potato in the Pocket", in the last room, from DVD, TV, headphones: http://vimeo.com/40960200
4. "Identity", in the last room, from DVD, TV, headphones: https://vimeo.com/83865314
5. "How we in the Baltics cook mamaliga"; DVD, TV, in the corridor, part of decolonial aesthetics installation - 100 kilos of cornmeal shared to people for free.Video is here: http://vimeo.com/40969508