küakomite

Küakomite is an Estonian art movement from the 1970s and 1980s. It emerged as a reaction to the realism of Soviet-era art and sought to explore new forms of expression. The name "Küakomite" is a play on words, combining "küaal" meaning "nonsense" with "komitee" being the Estonian word for committee.

The movement was characterized by an emphasis on creativity and experimentation, often pushing boundaries in terms of medium, form, and political commentary. Küakomite artists sought to challenge the official art narrative, rather than conforming to the Soviet regime's expectations.

Key figures associated with the Küakomite movement include Gottlieb Diergardt, Hendrik Mall, and Endel Kõks. These artists often employed collage, assemblage, and other non-traditional methods to create their works. Critics have noted the distinctive "Küakomite" spirit as a dissident''s pauperization of art, blurring the lines between fine art and everyday life.

The movement's influence extended beyond art, also influencing literature and the wider cultural sphere. Küakomite artists frequently incorporated elements of kitsch, degeneration, and stereo-typicalized views of Soviet Estonia.

A defining characteristic of Küakomite art was its simultaneous liberation and margin-ization, which brought this shift in viewpoint to public awareness. It created fractures with the authority's expectations, expressing concerns of morality in the society at that time.