Each exhibition is executed with a spirit. You can feel it immediately when you are in the centre. The entire atmosphere is thought out for each new exhibition, including minor details. Visiting some of your exhibitions has a therapeutic effect due to their poetic quality. Excellent explanatory texts accompany the pictures. The time spent with you is always incredibly eye-opening and significant. Thank you for bringing home excellent exhibitions and world names and enriching the viewer’s everyday life with them!

Juhan Kuus Documentary Photo Centre has contributed more to Estonian photography than all national museums combined—a bold statement, right? But it’s interesting how entities with abundant resources have achieved so little while those with fewer resources, like Documentary Photo Centre, have accomplished so much. The secret lies in their passion for photography, belief in its power, and total dedication to this art.

Documentary Photo Centre has allowed numerous emerging photographers to present their work globally. For these young artists, nothing is as crucial as receiving encouragement and the chance to have their work featured in a gallery. Despite the vast potential of Estonian photographers, major art institutions often focus only on a narrow selection of artists. Documentary Photo Centre commendably broadens this scope, showcasing diverse talents who might otherwise remain unseen. By doing so, it not only introduces fresh perspectives to Estonian photography but also educates audiences, enriches experiences, and enhances the overall cultural landscape of Estonia.”

The Documentary Photo Centre has become a mecca for art and photography and collaboration among artists, institutions, countries, and artistic expressions. It is led by dedicated individuals who make culture their ambition and art a necessity. It has transformed into more than just a place— a space of possibilities. It transcends individual ownership, belonging instead to a collective consciousness that something greater than ourselves will emerge from our combined efforts. The Documentary Photo Centre represents a human adventure and a journey of thought, continually inspiring all who engage with it.

The Documentary Photo Centre is a precious and practical initiative. It’s a delightful, educational, and unique experience — highly recommended!

Hea Dokfoto Keskuse külastaja!

Oleme tänulikud, kui jagad oma mõtteid ja kogemusi seoses Dokfoto Keskusega, mis annaksid jõudu nii meile, kui aitaksid otsustajatel näha ning mõista, et see, mida me siin teeme on oluline, läheb korda nii üksikisiku tasandil ja ehk mõjutab ka laiemalt kultuurimaastikul midagi.

Ootame Sinu kirja

toomas@dokfoto.ee ja/või kristel@dokfoto.ee

Südamest tänulikud,

Coming from lunch at Telliskivi Creative City, I always look towards the Juhan Kuus Documentary Photo Centre to see if a new exhibition has been set up. I often return to view the same exhibition a second time. You can’t walk past them without stopping!

Juhan Kuus Documentary Photo Centre has been instrumental in the evolution of Estonian photography, particularly in promoting photo-documentary. A decade or more ago, only a few photographers in Estonia were dedicated to long-term, in-depth documentary projects. Today, their numbers are growing, thanks in significant part to the efforts of the Documentary Photo Centre. From its inception, the centre has aimed to elevate the profile of documentary photography. It has not only introduced local audiences to internationally renowned artists but has also organised group exhibitions for Estonian photographers, fostering new and emerging voices in the field.

It is always a pleasure to step into the Documentary Photo Centre, where an enthusiastic team welcomes me in a cosy setting dedicated to maintaining a focus on documentary photography.

Kristel and Toomas enchant both creators and visitors alike with their vibrant energy. I value the centre’s broad approach to addressing diverse topics and its innovative use of artistic and technical solutions to present works. Over the years, I have gained all this and more from the Documentary Photo Centre, and I eagerly anticipate their upcoming projects.

I can hardly imagine our art world without the Juhan Kuus Documentary Photo Centre anymore; over seven years, it has become indispensable. I mean, I do walk past it as I walk down Telliskivi Street almost every day. But I never miss an exhibition.

Juhan Kuus photographed people; perhaps that’s why the centre named after him is human-scaled. The exhibitions are manageable; they don’t overwhelm with quantity but invigorate with quality. They leave room for deep reflection and engagement. I never leave this centre empty-handed; thoughts and feelings consistently linger longer than just the evening or day I spent viewing an exhibition. Please, do more!

I am thrilled to have discovered the Juhan Kuus Documentary Photo Centre. Each exhibition there is an event in itself, enriching my daily life and work. As a writer searching for moving stories, I find that documentary photography offers a wealth of inspiration. Additionally, I lead a children’s creative writing circle at the Estonian Children’s Literature Center, where we often visit exhibitions. These outings inspire the children to craft stories that seem to emerge effortlessly. Such moments are memorable for the children, helping them learn to perceive the stories around them. Every visit to Dokfoto Keskus feels personalized; their warm and friendly reception makes it seem like they’ve been expecting you that day.

Every single exhibition by the Documentary Photo Centre manages to surprise both in content and quality. I adore the curators’ outside-the-box thinking, as all the exhibitions have managed to educate and touch emotionally, even though the space is small. The Documentary Photo Centre is much larger than its physical size! I don’t want to miss a single exhibition, as I know I miss something if I do! I usually see one exhibition more than once because I want to take my family and friends along, too, after first witnessing the exhibition by myself. 

Although photo-documentary has never been the primary focus of my attention, the activities at the Documentary Photo Centre have compelled me to reconsider many viewpoints and have inspired me from unexpected angles.