PÖÖRA! (TURN!) is an urban art festival that is part of a programme commemorating the centenary of the Estonian Association of Architects, it is curated by Ljudmilla Georgijeva and Mae Köömnemägi. The festival consists of three spatial installations set up in the city centre of Tallinn. The leitmotif is “green deal”, which refers to reversing anthropogenic climate change to a state of equilibrium.
PÖÖRA! is an appeal for a consideration of ecologically cleaner possibilities in the field of climate and ecology, increased awareness and discussion of these topics. The festival invites audiences to look around them and ask questions like whether galvanized steel pipe railings along streets are really the wisest solution for traffic management, considering the goals of climate neutrality. Is producing such barriers sustainable or do they actually get in the way of pedestrians and cyclists?
The festival also addresses ecological architecture, uses materials such as rammed earth and recycled elements and highlights the topic of urban biodiversity. Do you see unused possibilities in the city around you? What do you think when you see a giant field of tree stump ends in an urban environment?
PÖÖRA! challenges people to reflect on their spatial experience and its background and to discuss these topics. Every installation feature is born from specific materials and creates a distinctive spatial environment. The designers of these spaces have a weighty role in managing these processes and must have a broader vision of goals and possibilities – their task is to channel visions of the future toward a higher-quality environment and better resource use. Those experiencing the spaces have just as weighty a role in taking notice of the good or bad choices around them and taking the time to advocate for good solutions.
The climate crisis may sometimes seem like a cluster of problems that is hard to grasp, but setting a course toward resolving the crisis will require, among other things, lots of little conscious decisions. After all, all changes begin with someone noticing something that can be changed!
From the 28 ideas submitted to the competition in the spring of 2021, the jury selected three winning entries:
The project is supported by: Eesti Kultuurkapital, Tallinna Keskkonna- ja Kommunaalamet, Eesti Kultuuriministeerium, Tallinna Strateegiakeskus
Contributors: Eesti Kaasaegse Kunsti Muuseum, Saviukumaja, FRAMM, Waymark, Enefit Green, Signaal TM, Ramirent Baltic, JCDecaux Eesti, Mediarent, Riigimetsa Majandamise Keskus
Thank you: participants of the rammed earth workshop, Kiili Betoon, Johannes Säre, Kalev Ramjalg, Juss Heinsalu, Studio Kuidas, Lions Club Tallinn Reval, Tallinn Music Week, students of the Academy of Architecture and Urban Planning of Tallinn University of Technology Elina Tommik, Edwin Smagin, Andra Palla, Sander Kõiv, Elise-Irene Lensment, Sofia Robbe, Hanna Mia Sooman, Anna Maria Teras, Merili Aitsam, Mari Liis Aader, Marily Pern, Saskia Krautman, Karin Malm, Terke Kram, Meri-Ly Luik, Nicole Reitsakas, Liisa-Lotta Pahkma
The main supporter of the jubilee program of the Estonian Association of Architects is Floorin with Forbo.
Graphic Design: Mirjam Reili (AKU)