Interactive art exhibition opens at Tallinn Botanic Garden

Text Mark Taylor
Photos Annika Lepp

Tallinn Botanic Garden is hosting an interactive exhibition by Polish artist Joanna Concejo, entitled “You Have to Find Your Place, Sit Down, and Wait.” The exhibition, which will be displayed in two locations within the garden: the new visitor centre and the Palm House hall, will be on display until September 29.

Anna Pełka, Consul of the Republic of Poland and specialist in public and cultural diplomacy at the Polish Embassy, highlighted how the exhibition complements the garden’s natural setting. Concejo’s illustrations vividly capture the cycles and vitality of nature, using simple coloured pencils to depict the infinite shades of greenery. Pełka remarked that this exhibition is an opportunity for visitors to engage with nature through the artist’s eyes, making the botanic garden an ideal venue for such an immersive experience.

The exhibition is not just a visual treat but also an interactive journey. Visitors can explore Concejo’s delicate drawings, create their own versions of her illustrations, and even enhance them using artificial intelligence. The exhibition also features 3D book covers, allowing guests to delve into classic tales like “Little Red Riding Hood” and “The Wild Swans,” as well as Concejo’s own works, such as “The Lost Soul,” which has recently been translated into Estonian.

Olga Wysocka, director of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, emphasized Concejo’s global influence, noting that her art transcends borders and fosters shared experiences and emotions. Concejo, who graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Poznań and later moved to France, has illustrated over 20 books and exhibited her work worldwide. She was also the Grand Prix laureate of the Tallinn Illustration Triennial “The Power of the Picture” in 2023, with her work first introduced to Estonia in 2015.

The exhibition which was organised through a collaboration between the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the Polish Embassy in Estonia, and the Tallinn Botanic Garden, will remain on display until September 29.

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Art and Nature Contemporary Illustrations Estonia Exhibitions in Tallinn Interactive Art Exhibition Joanna Concejo Tallinn Botanical Garden