Leonhard Lapin
Encyclopedia
Leonhard Lapin is a versatile Estonia
n artist
who has been active in fine art
, art theory and architecture
as well as in literature
. He is considered one of Estonia's leading artists.
in 1947. He often uses the codes of Russian avant-garde
. Kasimir Malevich's thinking has godfathered many of his themes. He acknowledged the use of them as a resistance movement already when he took an interest in the Soviet pop art
developed by the SOUP 69 group in the late 1960s. He initially worked in pop art
in the late 1960s, influenced by Andy Warhol
, and was involved in organizing the SOUP 69 exhibition in Tallinn
in 1969.
Despite his comprehensive oeuvre, Lapin creates broad thematic series. His themes include relationship between nature, machine and man, void, visual processes and the language of signs.
In 2003 Lapin began to work on his Code series. He based his work on a widespread symbol of the modern world: the bar code imprinted on consumer product
s. By reworking it he converted it to one of the fundamental elements of his artistic work. He wants to make the abstracted structure more intimate and, thus, closer to nature.
The Signs and Void exhibition features his major works – painting
s, sculpture
s and graphics from the 1960s to the present day.
Leonhard Lapin is an architect
by education. He has been the head of the Chair of Composition and Colour Studies at the Estonian Academy of Arts
. In the field of Finnish art Lapin has appeared from the 1980s onward. He has taught, among other places, at the Faculty of Architecture of the Helsinki University of Technology
and the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts. His years in Finland
have greatly influenced his art teaching and philosophical orientation. Lapin has also had numerous exhibitions in Finland.
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
n artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
who has been active in fine art
Fine art
Fine art or the fine arts encompass art forms developed primarily for aesthetics and/or concept rather than practical application. Art is often a synonym for fine art, as employed in the term "art gallery"....
, art theory and architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
as well as in literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
. He is considered one of Estonia's leading artists.
Biography
Lapin was born in RapinaRäpina
Räpina is a town in Põlva County, Estonia. The administrative centre of Räpina Parish, it has a population of 2,867 .-External links:*...
in 1947. He often uses the codes of Russian avant-garde
Russian avant-garde
The Russian avant-garde is an umbrella term used to define the large, influential wave of modern art that flourished in Russia approximately 1890 to 1930 - although some place its beginning as early as 1850 and its end as late as 1960...
. Kasimir Malevich's thinking has godfathered many of his themes. He acknowledged the use of them as a resistance movement already when he took an interest in the Soviet pop art
Pop art
Pop art is an art movement that emerged in the mid 1950s in Britain and in the late 1950s in the United States. Pop art challenged tradition by asserting that an artist's use of the mass-produced visual commodities of popular culture is contiguous with the perspective of fine art...
developed by the SOUP 69 group in the late 1960s. He initially worked in pop art
Pop art
Pop art is an art movement that emerged in the mid 1950s in Britain and in the late 1950s in the United States. Pop art challenged tradition by asserting that an artist's use of the mass-produced visual commodities of popular culture is contiguous with the perspective of fine art...
in the late 1960s, influenced by Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
, and was involved in organizing the SOUP 69 exhibition in Tallinn
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
in 1969.
Despite his comprehensive oeuvre, Lapin creates broad thematic series. His themes include relationship between nature, machine and man, void, visual processes and the language of signs.
In 2003 Lapin began to work on his Code series. He based his work on a widespread symbol of the modern world: the bar code imprinted on consumer product
Consumer product
A consumer product is generally any tangible personal property for sale and that is used for personal, family, or household for non-business purposes. The determination whether a good is a consumer product requires a factual finding, on a case-by-case basis...
s. By reworking it he converted it to one of the fundamental elements of his artistic work. He wants to make the abstracted structure more intimate and, thus, closer to nature.
The Signs and Void exhibition features his major works – painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
s, sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
s and graphics from the 1960s to the present day.
Leonhard Lapin is an architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
by education. He has been the head of the Chair of Composition and Colour Studies at the Estonian Academy of Arts
Estonian Academy of Arts
The Estonian Academy of Arts is the only public university in Estonia providing higher education in art, design, architecture, media, art history and conservation-restoration...
. In the field of Finnish art Lapin has appeared from the 1980s onward. He has taught, among other places, at the Faculty of Architecture of the Helsinki University of Technology
Helsinki University of Technology
Aalto University School of Science and Technology , was the temporary name for Helsinki University of Technology during the process of forming the Aalto University...
and the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts. His years in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
have greatly influenced his art teaching and philosophical orientation. Lapin has also had numerous exhibitions in Finland.