2024-… | sound and light installation with music
Photo by Evert Palmets
Hissing of snakes. Trembling of a table. Clatter of dishes, glasses and cutlery. Moon lighting up and dreamy melodies heard from the distance.
“Legends of Vaskjala” is an installative fairy tale intertwining the legends of the Vaskjala bridge maiden, who dreamed of becoming the companion of the Moon, and the wicked manor lord of Ussiaugu (Snake Hole), who, due to his evil deeds, was pursued by snakes everywhere. The installation also features an excerpt from Lauri’s musical composition “Vaskjala Piece”. The installation was partly conceived during Lauri’s residency at the Copper Leg Art Residency in Vaskjala, Estonia, in November 2023 and Mari-Ann Remmel’s book “Päritud paigad” (Inherited Places) has been instrumental in developing the work.
Premiered at ARS Showroom gallery, Tallinn, 2nd to 20th of May 2024.
Cycle duration: ca 5′
Special thanks to Copper Leg Art Residency, ARS Art Factory, Cultural Endowment of Estonia and Estonian Artists’ Associations!
LL
Legends of Vaskjala
Klub Silencio / Disainiöö, Tallinn
29.09.-05.10.2025
Editing: Lauri Lest
Photos: Evert Palmets
LL
Legends of Vaskjala
ARS Showroom gallery, Tallinn
May 2024
Editing: Lauri Lest
Photos: Evert Palmets
LL
Technical and organisational details
NB! Please consult the artist before making any major decisions based on the following details.
Description
In the center of the room stands a table covered with a tablecloth. Cutlery, glasses, bottles, and dishes are scattered across its surface. A dimly glowing lamp rests on the table, while a faint hissing sound — Snakes — can be heard from under the table. Hanging from the ceiling at the back of the room is a pale, unlit, spherical lamp — the Moon.
When a visitor enters the space, the table begins to tremble, and the objects upon it clatter. The shaking intensifies, the lamp on the table starts to fade and go out. Gradually, dreamy ambient music fades in from speakers mounted on the walls or ceiling. The Moon begins to glow, growing ever brighter. In the end, the trembling subsides, the clatter and the hissing disappears, and only the Moon remains illuminated — suspended in gentle light, accompanied by the distant music. The music fades and the Moon goes out. The cycle ends.
Cycle duration: ca 5′
Room requirements
Minimum room size: 4×3 m, height 3 m
As dark and quiet as possible.
Possibility to hang 1 object from the ceiling.
Space to hide a computer and audio and lighting equipment — minimum internal dimensions approx. 60 × 60 × 60 cm, with a power outlet nearby.
Security
Basic security is required, as the installation includes a computer, audio and light equipment.
Transportation
To be discussed…
Lauri Lest 