Opening of the art project by Līga Spunde (LV) and Sigrid Viir (EST) on the riverboat Lonny

“ArCo3 – Artists in Collections, Communities and Collectives'' forth and final opening at Saesaare Port in Taevaskoja on the 20th of June at 4 pm!

Artists Liga Spunde (LV) and Sigrid Viir (EE) have transformed the Riverboat Lonny into the heart of their Taevaskoja art project. This summer, Lonny becomes “Lummutaja Lonny” (The Enchanting Lonny), a character steeped in the region’s rich folklore. Visitors can also participate in a playful online game inspired by the classic “Who-Where-What?” guessing game, equally familiar in both Latvia and Estonia, sparking creativity and weaving new tales that blend old legends with contemporary twists. For the artists’ newly created surreal stories, they have also added visual touches – nearly 30 new mythical characters have been created in the form of photos and digital drawings. Some surprises await the visitors also on the hiking trails.
Spunde and Viir spent their residency in 2023 exploring Taevaskoja, making countless Lonny trips, soaking up local myths and hidden paths. They discovered that storytelling is the lifeblood of this community. The project encourages visitors to create their own stories, inspired by the past but speaking to the present.

ArCo3 is part of the main program of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024, and in addition to Taevaskoja, the project also includes: Järvselja Training and Experimental Forestry District (artist: Uku Sepsivart), the Räpina Paper Factory (artist: Ingrid Allik, with colleagues from Estonia and Finland) and the Tartu Observatory of the University of Tartu in Tõravere (artist: Karel Koplimets).

Opening event on Thursday, June 20th:
16:00 – Opening of the installation
16:30 – Conversation with the artists and the owner of the cruise ship “Lonny”, Iia Timmi (in Estonian and English)
17:30 – Cruise on “Lonny” / Discovery of the stops created by the artists along the hiking trail
18:30 – Cruise on “Lonny” / Discovery of the stops created by the artists along the hiking trail

NB!! The entire event takes place outdoors, please dress according to the weather and some insect repellent might be necessary. We recommend bringing your own picnic basket.

Come to the opening by art bus! Maajaam + ArCo3 art bus departs from Tallinn at 9:00 and brings the art audience back the same evening at 22:00. Those interested can also join the bus from Tartu at 11:15 and return at 19:45. The exact itinerary and tickets can be purchased from the Fienta ticketing system.

If you cannot make it to the opening, you can still visit the project in Taevaskoja during the summer from June 22nd to August 25th, 2024.
Lonny departs Mon–Sun at every full hour from 12:00 to 17:00 (inclusive) *
* The crew has the right to make ongoing changes to boat’s schedule

Many thanks to Iia Timmi, Kalmer Tint, Villem Säre, Tõnu Pani

The ArCo3 curators and project managers are Maarin Ektermann and Mary-Ann Talvistu, graphic design by Agnes Isabelle Veevo, communications by Mailis Timmi.