EDITORIAL

EPIFANIO RECOMMENDS

PERFORMATIVE SPACE: THE LOOSE BOUNDARY OF ARCHITECTURE
Rebecca Jones and Nathalie Pozzi

ARCHITECT STEINER LOOKS INTO FUTURE
Vilen Künnapu

HARRY PYE'S POSTCARD FROM LONDON
Harry Pye

POEMS
Lauri Sommer

FOLKLORE TALES FROM TALLINN
Nato Lumi

TEAM

I’LL OPEN YOUR THOUGHTS
BY DOING SO I’LL FILL YOU WITH JOY
BY DOING SO I’LL STRAIGHTEN YOUR THOUGHTS
BY DOING SO I’LL STRAIGHTEN YOUR BODY
NOW I’LL HEAL YOU TO THE DEPTHS OF YOUR HEART
BY DOING SO I’LL FILL YOU WITH IMMENSE JOY
BY DOING SO I’LL RETURN LIFE TO YOUR BODY
AND TO YOUR THOUGHTS
I’LL HEAL YOUR BEING, YOUR BODY
WITH THE POWERFUL ESSENCE
OF THE TREE AND THE UNIVERSE
SO YOU ARE JOYOUS
REMEMBER MY WORDS
SO YOU REMEMBER THEM
I WILL CHANT THEM
THOUGH I’M SMALL
I MADE YOUR THOUGHTS SHINE
THE UNIVERSE IS IN HARMONY
THE WORLD IS AND EVER WILL BE

This shamanic chant of Kestenbetsa is well needed in today’s world, where the life motto of “FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE” has been replaced by “ANXIETY, UNEMPLOYMENT AND MISERY”.

In the eleventh issue of Epifanio, Lembit Sarapuu, the great figure of Estonian painting, writes about his books from the time of the first republic, the soviet era, and today. On the back cover we present his latest works, rarely seen in Estonia.

Nathalie Pozzi and Rebecca Jones give an overview of the playful architecture in contemporary world, which participates in active dialogue with other art and life forms. Mai Sööt kindly reminds us of Franciscus of Assisi, who always remained true to himself. Mehis Heinsaar lays into letters the being of Russian absurd classic Daniil Kharms, and translates some of his less known short stories and diary entries. In addition to the stories of old ladies and gentlemen falling out of the windows and the exploration of human wickedness, the early departed Kharms also delved into eternal themes. Here is an ample example from his diary:

There is a long straight line that maintains all earthly things. Only that, which is not maintained on this line, bears the acknowledgement of immortality. And that is why a human being keeps looking for ways to diverge from that Line of Earthly Perpetuation, and calls these tendencies either magnificent, desperate or ingenious accomplishments.

Peeter Laurits thinks similarly to Sarapuu that this world is not built up for a mere gain game. He sees a child suckling on mother’s breast as something that helps us better understand eating and economic processes – both of which are growing and shrinking.

Vilen Künnapu continues his stories of architect Steiner, who, together with his friends, is now looking forward to a blissful future. Harry Pye gives an account of the British art patron Russel Herron, who was to contemporary art what John Peel was to contemporary music, as the author puts it.

Lauri Sommer presents a selection of his newest poetry, which he says to be the simplest of his works so far. Nato Lumi describes bizarre events that he experienced on Tallinn streets. Jaanus Orgussaar tries to decipher his most recent design creations based on sacred geometry.

P.S. So don’t forget to go skating this winter, Dear Reader!

August Künnapu / editor

Photo: Aive Mets