Mosaic at Valga’s central square.
Created during a 6 weeks residency at Vares in May-June 2026
Arriving in Valga, I wanted to create a mosaic that reflects something essential about the town. I thought about the kinds of plants that might grow in local gardens. I also wanted to use as much leftover material as possible and to show both simplicity and beauty within the materials themselves. During the first weeks, I cycled around a lot, searching for both the location and the content of the piece. At the same time, I was discovering the town itself.
My first impression of Valga was unexpectedly bright and joyful. The Pedeli River, blooming gardens with pruned apple trees – yes, many empty buildings, but some of them grand and beautiful, like monuments. Later, I also noticed the emptiness, sadness, and uncertainty that exist in the urban space, but I chose to create the mosaic based on that first encounter – a moment when the world felt generous.
I captured this mood in two short poems:
Lilac
Apple blossom
Warm wind from behind the hill
How lucky I am
Again
When
Was the last time
You felt euphoric about the weather
The bicycle rolls downhill
On its own
The mosaic is an attempt to preserve that initial sense of wonder – the moment when a city opens itself through light, blossoms, and movement. The work incorporates old ceramic tiles, fragments of brick and asphalt, and colored glass.
Many thanks to Kaarel Narro for assistance with the installation!
Photos by Nika Gabiskiria
The project was supported by the Estonian Ministry of Culture and the Estonian Cultural Endowment.
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Mosaiik Valga keskväljakul
Loodud 6-nädalase residentuuri jooksul Vareses, mai-juuni 2026
Valka tulles tahtsin luua mosaiiki, mis kujutaks midagi Valgale olemuslikku, mõtlesin taimedel, mis siinsetes aedades võiksid kasvada. Tahtsin kasutada võimalikult palju olemasolevat jääkmaterjali ning näidata ka materjalis korraga lihtsust ja ilu. Esimestel nädalatel sõitsin palju rattaga ringi, otsides nii teose asukohta kui ka selle sisu. Samal ajal avastasin linna ennast.
Minu esmamulje Valgast oli üllatavalt helge ja rõõmus. Pedeli jõgi, õitsvad aiad pügatud õunapuudega, jah, palju tühju hooneid, aga mõned neist uhked ja ilusad nagu ausambad. Hiljem märkasin ka tühjust, nukrust ja nõutust, mis linnaruumis peituvad, kuid mosaiigi otsustasin luua just selle esimese kohtumise tunde põhjal – hetkest, mil maailm paistis helde.
Selle meeleolu talletasin kahe lühikese luuletusena:
Sirel
Õunapuuõis
Soe tuul künka tagant
Milline vedamine mul
Jälle
Millal
Eufoorias
Viimati ilmast sa
Ratas veereb allamäge
Ise
Mosaiik ongi katse säilitada seda esimest vaimustust – hetke, mil linn avaneb läbi valguse, õite ja liikumise. Teose loomisel on kasutatud vanu keraamilisi plaate, tellise- ja asfaldikilde ning värvilist klaasi.
Suur tänu Kaarel Narrole abi eest paigaldamisel!
Fotod: Nika Gabiskiria
Projekti toetasid Eesti Kultuuriministeerium ja Eesti Kultuurkapital.