Preliminary investigation as a juridical concept which created an essence of Patarei prison for decades. Guilty and not guilty, waiting for the court in inhuman circumstances, were brought to test their human limits. Reflections of extremely complicated human relationships and emotions are still accumulated into the walls and air of the Patarei.

As well we can call preliminary investigation a process of examination these reflections after real prison has been liquidated many years ago. Panic fear during lonely walks inside the building, psychologically and physically felt oppression in proportions of human and room, light, silence and smells are just few parameters which stimulate mental and emotional processes inside the sensitive people.

“Preliminary investigation” is an exhibition of the works created in a collaborative course between the University of Art and Design Helsinki and the Estonian Academy of Arts. Twenty students from these two schools participated in the project, working on site at the Culture Park Patarei in Tallinn, Estonia. This site is a former sea fortress and prison, built originally in the 1820s. Reconfiguring the remnants that were left in the prison, and introducing new elements into its history, the students have made works of art that speak to the history of the site and to those who have lived within its walls.

Participants: Sarah Alden, Sebastian Bartel, Chaneldior, Ana Costa, Ana Fradique, Shira Igell, Villem Jahu, Wai-Yi Lai, Andrus Lauringson, Mercedes Pino López, Päivi Maunu, Pieter Van Nieuwenhuyse, Teresa Novotny, Margarita Rossello Ramon, Mai Sööt, Villekarel Viirelaid, Mirimari Väyrynen, Magdalena Wögerbauer, Ilari Kähönen.

The instructors for the course were Scott Andrew Elliott (Environmental Art department, UIAH) and Erik Alalooga (Interdisciplinary Studies, EAA).

Exhibition period: June 3 to August 31
Venue: Culture Park Patarei, Tallinn, Estonia
Opening hour: Wed – Sun 12:00 – 18:00(Entrance until: 17:15)
Entrance fee: EEK 30

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