Crystal Grid
Paul Kuimet
Text by Neeme Lopp
[…] How to give structure to something that itself is lacking one? How to present something like that? This is a question of visibility and making visible. What are the means for making visible something that always remains invisible? More precisely: the thing that remains invisible in real life, but of which we can get a glimpse in Crystal Grid, is the structure of capitalism. But how to display something like that?
Paul Kuimet’s new book presents two series by the artist – Crystal Grid (2020–2023) and an ensuing series of assemblages What It Is to Be What You Are Not (2022).
The works are connected by a set of geometric shapes from a grid that is based on the roof structure of the central transept of the Crystal Palace, erected for the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. While the photographic material of the Crystal Grid collages has been photographed in different botanical gardens around the world, the assemblages of the What It Is to Be What You Are Not series use images exposed to light-sensitive paper in the darkness of a photo lab together with leaves collected in the Tallinn Botanic Garden. Juxtaposed, the works raise different questions about the notions of place, form and representation in photography.
![Paul Kuimet in conversation with Hanno Soans at the book launch in Kanuti Gildi SAAL, 23 November 2023. Photo Indrek Sirkel.]()
![Crystal Grid by Paul Kuimet at Draakon Gallery (Tallinn, Estonia), 31 October – 25 November. Photo Paul Kuimet.]()
Paul Kuimet is an artist who works with photography, 16 mm film, and installation comprising of these media. He has recently exhibited at Tartu Art Museum (2023), 8th Artishok Biennale at Tallinn Botanic Garden (2022), WIELS Project Space, Brussels (2021), FUGA: Budapest Centre of Architecture (2021), Kogo Gallery, Tartu (2020), and Tallinn Art Hall (2020).
Neeme Lopp is a researcher and publisher at the Estonian Academy of Arts. He has compiled, edited, and translated books, written academic articles, as well as literary and art criticism.
![A selection of various cover combinations. The edition was bound in five different green materials, each book uses three different colours: one on the front cover, one of the spine, and one on the back cover of the book.]()
215 × 280 mm
88 pp
Offset printing
Hardcover (125 different cover combinations)
In English and Estonian
Graphic design: Indrek Sirkel
Colour correction: Marje Eelma
Reproductions: Stanislav Stepaško
Translation: Keiu Krikmann (est–eng)
Copy editing: Anti Saar (est), Bryne McLaughlin (eng)
Paper: Multi Art Gloss 150g, Munken Polar Rough 120g, Caribic Dark Green 170g
Typefaces: Century Expanded, Monotype Grotesque
Printed by Tallinn Book Printers
Supported by Cultural Endowment of Estonia
Edition of 400
Published by Lugemik
ISBN 978-9916-9817-7-1
2023
Paul Kuimet
Text by Neeme Lopp
[…] How to give structure to something that itself is lacking one? How to present something like that? This is a question of visibility and making visible. What are the means for making visible something that always remains invisible? More precisely: the thing that remains invisible in real life, but of which we can get a glimpse in Crystal Grid, is the structure of capitalism. But how to display something like that?
— Neeme Lopp
Paul Kuimet’s new book presents two series by the artist – Crystal Grid (2020–2023) and an ensuing series of assemblages What It Is to Be What You Are Not (2022).
The works are connected by a set of geometric shapes from a grid that is based on the roof structure of the central transept of the Crystal Palace, erected for the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. While the photographic material of the Crystal Grid collages has been photographed in different botanical gardens around the world, the assemblages of the What It Is to Be What You Are Not series use images exposed to light-sensitive paper in the darkness of a photo lab together with leaves collected in the Tallinn Botanic Garden. Juxtaposed, the works raise different questions about the notions of place, form and representation in photography.
Paul Kuimet is an artist who works with photography, 16 mm film, and installation comprising of these media. He has recently exhibited at Tartu Art Museum (2023), 8th Artishok Biennale at Tallinn Botanic Garden (2022), WIELS Project Space, Brussels (2021), FUGA: Budapest Centre of Architecture (2021), Kogo Gallery, Tartu (2020), and Tallinn Art Hall (2020).
Neeme Lopp is a researcher and publisher at the Estonian Academy of Arts. He has compiled, edited, and translated books, written academic articles, as well as literary and art criticism.
215 × 280 mm
88 pp
Offset printing
Hardcover (125 different cover combinations)
In English and Estonian
Graphic design: Indrek Sirkel
Colour correction: Marje Eelma
Reproductions: Stanislav Stepaško
Translation: Keiu Krikmann (est–eng)
Copy editing: Anti Saar (est), Bryne McLaughlin (eng)
Paper: Multi Art Gloss 150g, Munken Polar Rough 120g, Caribic Dark Green 170g
Typefaces: Century Expanded, Monotype Grotesque
Printed by Tallinn Book Printers
Supported by Cultural Endowment of Estonia
Edition of 400
Published by Lugemik
ISBN 978-9916-9817-7-1
2023