Eglė Budvytytė (1981). In collaboration with Marija Olšauskaitė (1989) and Julija Lukas Steponaitytė (1992). Songs from the Compost: Mutating Bodies, Imploding Stars. 2020. Video still. Courtesy of the artist
They Began to Talk is an international group exhibition that explores the relationship between the body and the environment in an era of rapid environmental change and the inequalities it creates. The exhibition is on display at the Kumu Art Museum fromFebruary 7 toAugust 3, 2025.
Sudden environmental changes, in many cases as a result of human activity, are often reflected on local people and communities whose identity and livelihoods are closely tied to the land. The effects of these changes take the form of emotional suffering, which remains in the body and is passed onto future generations.
The exhibition brings together works by Estonian and Baltic artists and explores the possibilities of reconnecting the body with the land. They Began to Talk continues a series of exhibitions on environmental issues at the Kumu Art Museum, which began in 2023 with Art in the Age of the Anthropocene.
More information about the exhibition and programme is available on Kumu’s website.
The participating artists are Pia Arke, Eglė Budvytytė, Merike Estna, Sofia Filippou & Eline Selgis, John Grzinich, Joanna Kalm, Johann Köler, Ruth Maclennan, Outi Pieski & Biret Haarla Pieski & Gáddjá Haarla Pieski, Mia Tamme, Sasha Tishkov and Vive Tolli.
Outi Pieski (1973) & Biret Haarla Pieski (2000) & Gáddjá Haarla Pieski (2000). Guhte gullá – Here to Hear. 2021. Video installation. Courtesy of the artist. Photographer: Mauri LähdesmäkiSasha Tishkov (1989). Abandoned Axe, Probably Left There by Some Folkloric Creature. 2023. Mixed media. Courtesy of the artist. Photographer: Flavia TrittoSofia Filippou (1995) & Eline Selgis (1990). Perfomance ABOUT US – Choreographies of Hugging. 2022. Courtesy of artists. Photographer: Riina VarolEglė Budvytytė (1981). In collaboration with Marija Olšauskaitė (1989) and Julija Lukas Steponaitytė (1992). Songs from the Compost: Mutating Bodies, Imploding Stars. 2020. Video still. Courtesy of the artistRuth Maclennan (1969). A Forest Tale. 2022. Video still. Co-commissioned by the Film and Video Umbrella and the Arctic Art Institute. Courtesy of the artistRuth Maclennan (1969). A Forest Tale. 2022. Video still. Co-commissioned by the Film and Video Umbrella and the Arctic Art Institute. Courtesy of the artist
Eglė Budvytytė (1981). In collaboration with Marija Olšauskaitė (1989) and Julija Lukas Steponaitytė (1992). Songs from the Compost: Mutating Bodies, Imploding Stars. 2020. Video still. Courtesy of the artist
