ANNIKA HAAS — Greenhouse Effect

One of Estonia’s most renowned contemporary photographers, Annika Haas presents her large-scale audiovisual art project, Greenhouse Effect, which is based on a long-term photographic study and portrays Estonia’s younger generation, who have to tackle an abundance of future challenges related to overconsumption, senseless waste and aggressive exploitation of nature. The young people taking part in this exhibition are deeply concerned about the future of planet Earth: they are trying to signal to the older generation that the current way of life-based on binge-consuming culture and endless economic growth is not sustainable.

For three years, Annika Haas captured her photos of young Estonians aged 12 to 21 and interviewed them on environmental issues to learn about their attitude towards and awareness about consumption, nature conservation and personal contribution to minimizing their ecological footprint. The landscape in Haas‘ pictures is located on the outskirts of the capital city, Tallinn. The place used to be an area for garden plots, but now the abandoned and dilapidated greenhouses create an apocalyptic atmosphere.

The exhibition experience starts from the square right next to the Documentary Photography Centre, where Elo Liiv and Uko-Aija Heintalu have built a greenhouse from recyclable materials, according to the vision by Annika Haas. On the glass surfaces are portraits by Haas of young people who care about our environment. The portraits are in a symbiotic relationship with plants in the greenhouse. The exhibition also presents young people’s opinions about the environment on social media and through open audiovisual interviews.

A programme of activities accompanies the exhibition, stay tuned for updates.