ARCHITECTURAL MODELS
6. January
– 11. February 2001
Models are generally
the most popular exhibits in the exhibitions. They draw attention to themselves
and excite people, reminding children of toys and grown-ups of childhood
in a pleasant nostalgic way. The little houses, ten times smaller than
the original, feed our vanity causing a kind of a Gulliver-feeling. Even
the most complex building may seem really simple and logical from a bird's-eye
view. This is also true for the most complex ensemble of buildings – the
whole town.
A model is
a part of the architect’s work process, but it becomes a medium in project
presentations and exhibitions. A fancy model may often act as an element
of effective marketing. Models stand as ideas of future buildings or a
piece recollected from the past. Thus we can speak of models of the future
and of the past – one stimulates the imagination and the other the recollection.
The oldest
models at the exhibition are from the 19th century: wooden models of St.
Olaf’s Church, the roof structure of Kaarli Church, Reigi Church and others.
A 19th century silver models of the Tartu Town Hall and a Bank are a type
of souvenir model. A powerful elevator was built in the Tallinn harbour
in 1892 (not survived). The model of the elevator was made in 1899 in St.
Petersburg.
The best preserved
examples of the 1930s’ models are the models of the buildings by Robert
Natus – his own house at Nõmme and the expressionistic office building
at Pärnu Road 36, the so-called Tallinn Chilehaus, 1935. The cardboard
model of the theatre Estonia also dates from the 1930s.
The models
of 1950s are represented by the models of the renovation of the Estonia
theatre, the Drama Theatre and Song Festival Stand.
Models played
an important role in the planning and introduction of the new Tallinn districts.
The model of Mustamäe represents a harmonious view of the future districts
which, as we know, were realized in a much less ideal fashion.
The end of
the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s saw a growth of interest in planning
the new city of Tallinn with high buildings. Three models of the Tallinn-City
were suggesting the location of new high buildings. The Art Museum international
competition included 233 entries and also 233 models. It turned out to
be a presentable exhibition of modern models made in different countries
of the world.
As a declaration
of the owner's pride and property, models of new buildings became increasingly
popular in the 1990s. These models have been perfectly realised and often
finished off with realistic ready-made details – miniature models of cars,
helicopters, people.
There are more
than 60 models in the model collection of the Museum of Architecture. Upon
ordering new models, the Museum has always taken into consideration architect's
ideas as the most important criteria.
The Model
Exhibition was the first attempt to pay special attention to the model
as an architectural medium, and to explore how many models have been preserved
in Estonian museums. By exhibiting a selection of architectural models
of different periods and types, the exhibition enables to see both the
functional differences of the models and their stylistic development.
Exhibition
was compiled by Karin Hallas-Murula, Anne Lass and Peeter Mauer.
Design by
Priit Põldme.
 
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