Venice Biennale 2024: Edith Karlson’s Immersive Estonian Pavilion

The Installation Art Podcast

In this episode, we dive deep into the life and career of Estonian artist Edith Karlson, who is the mastermind behind the incredibly detailed and immersive Estonian Pavilion at Venice Art Biennale 2024. Key takeaways from this engaging interview:

• Edith discusses the serendipitous path that led her to study sculpture and the challenges she faced after art school.

• Insights into her techniques and materials, including her preference for unconventional choices and making her own clay.

• The extensive logistics and process behind her monumental Venice Biennale project. Listen to learn many surprising details from behind the scenes.

• The impact of motherhood on her career and the challenges of being a female artist in Estonia.

• Her plans for the future and advice for aspiring sculptors.

This episode offers a detailed look at Edith's creative process, her thoughts on artist life, and her future aspirations. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes perspective on one of contemporary art’s rising stars.

02:05 Introduction and Icebreaker Questions

05:47 Early Influences and Artistic Awakening

07:42 Choosing Art School and Sculpture

11:31 Developing a Unique Sculpting Style

16:28 First Solo Show and Early Career Challenges

31:42 Venice Biennale Project: The Journey Begins

37:41 The Creative Process Behind Estonian Pavilion

39:04 Custom Creations and Logistics

40:22 Community Contributions and Home-Made Clay

43:16 Post-Exhibition Plans and Reflections

52:36 Balancing Art and Parenthood

56:22 Challenges and Hard Lessons as an Artist

59:22 Studio Rituals and Artistic Persistence

01:01:12 Future Projects and Musical Endeavors

01:02:40 Advice for Aspiring Sculptors

01:06:26 Final Thoughts and Calls to Action

Edith Karlson is based in Tallinn, Estonia. You can find out more about her work in the Estonian Centre for Cotemporary Art database: https://cca.ee/en/artists-database/edith-karlson and on her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edith_karlson/

Karlson is represented by Temnikova & Kasela Gallery: https://temnikova.ee/

She is also in a band called VANA, you can purchase their digital album here: https://sadfun.bandcamp.com/album/vana-viimne-ratsu

Also mentioned in this episode:

Estonian Art Academy: https://www.artun.ee/en/home/ | https://www.instagram.com/eka_estonian_academy_of_arts/ | @EKAEstonianAcademyofArts

Venice Biennale: https://www.labiennale.org/en/art/2024 | https://www.instagram.com/labiennale/ | @BiennaleChannel

Estonian Pavilion 2024: https://www.labiennale.org/en/art/2024/estonia

Temikova & Kasela Gallery: https://temnikova.ee/ | https://www.instagram.com/temnikovakaselagallery/

Liste Art Fair: https://www.liste.ch/en/home.html | https://www.instagram.com/liste_art_fair_basel | @listeartfairbasel1726

Flo Kasearu: http://www.flokasearu.eu/ | https://www.instagram.com/flokasearu

Launch Pad residency: https://launchpadart.org/lab/about/ | https://www.instagram.com/launchpadart/

Olga Temnikova: https://www.instagram.com/temnikovaaglo/

Estonian Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA): https://cca.ee/en | https://www.instagram.com/ccaestonia/

Episode art photo by: Alan Proosa https://www.facebook.com/AlanProosaPhotography/

The Installation Art Podcast is a bi-weekly show about people who love and work with the contemporary art medium of installation.

The host Anastasia Parmson, an artist herself, interviews internationally renowned artists and arts workers about the intricacies and behind-the-scenes stories of creating and showing work that is site-specific, ephemeral, large scale or immersive.

Follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast to never miss a show.

Find us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/installationartpodcast/

More information about the show and previous episodes: www.installationartpodcast.com

Your host Anastasia Parmson: www.anastasiaparmson.art | https://www.instagram.com/anastasiaparmson.art/