Local Beauty. Tallinn Jewellery Factory

The Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design presents the exhibition 'Local Beauty. Tallinn Jewelry Factory', open from May to September 2023, celebrating the Tallinn Jewelry Factory founded in 1959 and its significant role in Estonian design history.

During the Soviet era, the factory's products, radiating both austerity and romance, influenced the appearance of everyday life in Estonia for decades. The exhibition focuses on the factory's legacy during the period from 1951 to 1994, starting from the time when the first artists were involved in the factory, until the moment when both the political system and market situation changed, and the company was privatized. In addition to the factory's range of products, including silverware, serving sets, cutlery series, and jewellery, the exhibition also provides an overview of these items' design and production process.

Our task was to create a visual identity, exhibition graphics, and marketing materials to characterize the exhibition and facilitate visitors' navigation through hundreds of exhibits.

The exhibition consists of two themed rooms. In the first, dark room, there is a display showcasing the production process of cutlery, jewelry, and tableware, along with a visual representation of the history of the jewellery factory on the wall. The atmosphere is enhanced by sounds reminiscent of the factory's production rooms. The second room, in contrast to the first, is airy, elegant, and white, presenting the extensive output of the factory to the visitor. The choice of typography for the exhibition is inspired by the era and the delicate elongated forms of the exhibited objects.

Curators: Kai Lobjakas and Ketli Tiitsar
Designer: Kaire Rannik