Estonian Pavilion at 2019 Venice Biennale: Kris Lemsalu's 'Birth V. Hi & Bye'

The Estonian Pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale, curated by Maria Arusoo, features Kris Lemsalu's exhibition 'Birth V. Hi & Bye' at a functioning boat shed on Giudecca island, owned by Legno & Legno. Lemsalu (born 1985 in Tallinn) conceived the project as a unique experience involving friends, mentors, and collaborators rather than traditional curators. The installation includes sculptural fountains with water spouting from shells containing vaginas, set within limestone basins, accompanied by a sound piece by New York artist Kyp Malone capturing Venice's sounds. The work explores themes of birth, life, and death, with a boat possibly referencing Charon guiding visitors through a spiritual rebirth. Irene Campolmi, a member of the pavilion's scientific committee, describes Lemsalu's earlier performance 'Whole Alone 2' at Frieze Art Fair 2016, where she lay under a large polychrome porcelain turtle shell at Temnikova & Kasela gallery, embodying an absent presence. The exhibition responds to curator Ralph Rugoff's theme 'May You Live In Interesting Times' by offering a sensual, shamanic reflection on life.