Karel Koplimets x Tartu Observatory of the University of Tartu in Tõravere

Mon–Sun 09:00–23:00

Estonia’s own space centre and legendary community of scientists: this is the Observatory of the University of Tartu in Tõravere! Completed in 1964, this place is an enchanting combination of cutting-edge science, verdant nature and infrastructure which looks mysterious to the untrained eye: besides the main building, the landscape is full of telescope towers and other objects. Walking between them, visitors will find themselves in aunique environment, and this year they can also investi-gate one of the towers more closely.

The artist Karel Koplimets took an artistic residency at the observatory in 2023, conversing with the scientists working there and getting acquainted with the everyday life on this scientific campus. These experiences and, above all, the cosmic architecture of Tõravere led to a site-specific spatial installation, which encompasses one whole telescope tower. The installation explores dystopian future scenarios in light of climate change, and the surprising ways in which humanity tries to survive in difficult conditions. Will the same socially accepted moral rules and values apply in the future, and what is the role of the individual in protecting our planet?

“2074”

The installation takes visitors on a journey to a hypothetical future, where climate change has left its deep mark. The TRVRCCS2AZT-8 tower offers a unique and effective solution for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. With its simple and innovative design, this technology can capture significant amounts of CO2, thus helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. The inclusion of the human filter element adds to the system’s effectiveness and testifies to the scientists’ creative approach to this complex problem. The success of the launched project gives hope that the climate crisis can be alleviated and a greener and cleaner future is still possible for the planet. 

The work is based on science fiction’s common views of humanity in the future, where individual rights and freedoms have changed. The most important thing is the survival of humanity as a species, within which the individual is no longer as important. Due to the deepening of the unequal distribution of resources, democratic principles and the protection of the weak have sometimes been sacrificed in the interests of the (corporate and political) elite. Amidst the rapidly escalating climate crisis, demanding innovative solutions, scientists stand at the forefront. This installation serves as a tribute to their unwavering dedication in tackling this pressing challenge.

However, global temperatures continue to rise, extreme weather events are becoming more common, and biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. It is clear that current societal and moral norms, rules and laws are insufficient to tackle the climate crisis and other environmental challenges. How is it possible to imagine the future? Science fiction allows us to fantasise about a future world that will probably never exist, one that may never be possible, but is still tangible as it is partly based on our real world. Perhaps the dystopia unfolding in this experimental station will provoke visitors to reflect on the challenges associated with climate change in the here and now.

Animation: Trevor Kinna

Voice over: Toomas Täht

Sound design: Madis Kurss

Translation: Peeter Talvistu

Language editing: Richard Adang

Thank you: Antti Tamm, Marja-Liisa Plats, Tanel Liira, Heiki Maasik, Hilja Koplimets, Kaisa Maasik and Maido Juss

KAREL KOPLIMETS (b 1986) is a Tallinn-based artist working in photography, video and installations. He studied photography at the Estonian Academy of Arts (2013) and continued his studies at the Higher Institute for Fine Arts (HISK) in Belgium (2020–2021). The artist recently participated in the group exhibition “Coup de Ville” (Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, 2024), the Videobrasil Biennial (Sesc 24 de Maio, Brasilia, 2023), and the Fotokuu main exhibition “Transs” at the Tallinn Art Hall (2023), and he held a solo exhibition, “One Is the Loneliest Number” at the (AV17) Gallery in Vilnius (2022). His works are included in the collections of several museums, including Kiasma, the Musée de l’Elysée and the Kumu Art Museum. From 2020 to 2022, Karel Koplimets was one of the recipients of the Estonian Artist’s Salary.

THE TARTU OBSERVATORY is a research and development institution in the fields of astronomy and atmospheric physics at the University of Tartu. Opened in 1964 in Tõravere, it is the successor and continuation of the Tartu University Observatory, founded in 1808, and the Tartu University Meteorological Observatory, founded in 1865. The observatory has departments of astronomy, remote sensing and space technology. The main research directions in astronomy are stellar physics, cosmology and galaxy physics; remote sensing research directions include vegetation cover monitoring, water body monitoring, atmospheric monitoring and radar monitoring. The Space Technology Department deals with the design, construction and testing of various new devices. Scientists of the Tartu Observatory are the supervisors of the satellite projects ESTCube-1 and ESTCube-2.

Map of the observatory grounds in Tõravere:

Opening event 12.05.2024 (photographer Jürgen Vainola):