16-22/10 TARTU KOLEDAIM KOHT TÖÖTUBA

Supervisor

Katja Muttilainen, MA, MH
Lighting design teacher, artist, curator

Katja’s background lays in stage lighting design and she has designed and implemented numerous theatre, dance and event lightings since 1998.

She uses mainly light, lighting and augmented reality as her mediums. In addition she teaches architectural and interior lighting in Finland. In her works she is interested in encounters: collaborating, communication and sharing of knowledge together.

Introduction

As part of the Tartu Light Biennale TAVA26, a lighting design workshop by Finnish lighting designer Katja Muttilainen will be held, during which we invite all residents and visitors of the city of Tartu to seek help and express their opinions:

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE UGLIEST PLACE IN TARTU CITY CENTRE?

The proposed locations should be open to the public during the workshop and the Light Biennale 16.–25.10.2026. After the supervisor has inspected the locations, it is planned to conduct a second round of voting, but then between the three winning suitable locations.

The survey is anonymous and open until March 10, 2026. The survey results will be used in the workshop to analyze the urban space and create a lighting design for the ugliest place. You can answer multiple times.

“Tartu koledaim koht” valgustusdisaini töötuba

The workshop is part of the TAVA26 Light Biennial and is based on Katja Muttilainen's light art concept “Ugliest place in the City”.

The concept of the workshop is both communal, social and sociological. The citizens of the city will vote to select the ugliest place in Tartu, which will then be illuminated during the Tartu Light Biennale TAVA26.

A site-specific lighting solution based on the history of the "ugly place" will be developed together with workshop participants, who will be able to use light to comment on the public space around us, thus raising awareness and arousing curiosity among city residents.

The inclusion of light offers passersby a different visual and cognitive experience, helping to reveal different layers of the “ugly” spirit of the place.

The Ugliest Place in Tartu public survey and the subsequent workshop are being organised in cooperation with the City of Oulu. A second version of the artwork will also be on display at the LUMO Light Festival in Oulu as part of the 2026 European Capital of Culture. Tartu is the first place where the concept is being implemented in a workshop style.

Activities

Participation in lectures and presentations: workshop instructors will provide an overview of the entire process and share information on the latest trends in the field.
Compilation of site-specific analysis: Researching and analyzing the location and history of workshop objects, both during the day and at night, to understand the site and its context in depth.
Kontseptsiooni loomine: juhendaja abil tehakse omavahelist loomingulist koostööd valgustusdisaini kontseptsioonide väljaarendamiseks.
Creation and testing of prototypes: sketches and prototypes are created, different materials and lighting solutions are tested in order to realize your ideas.
Construction of installations: full-scale light installations of the urban space are built at the selected location.
Grupiaruteludes osalemine, tagasiside andmine ja saamine: osaletakse kriitilistes aruteludes kaaslaste ja juhendajaga, saades konstruktiivset tagasisidet oma töö täiendamiseks.
Publiku tähelepanu: töötoas valminud valgustusdisaini installatsiooni esitletakse laiemale publikule TAVA26 valgusrajal.

Date & place

16 – 22/10/2026

Schedule

Schedule will be more accurate after we see which place will be the “ugliest”

Before the workshop (one week etc)

Preliminary task (shared questionnaire results, the pictures of the location etc)

16.10. FRIDAY EVENING (arrival day)

Arrival in Tartu
On- site visit to understand the architecture, existing lighting and views, routes, surroundings
The preliminary task impressions and overview

17.10. SAT (background info, brainstorming, lectures)

On- site visit to the site during the daytime
Background lectures about lighting by workshop head and Tartu by the city people
Brainstorming of ideas and possibilities, the storyline
Evening: Getting to know the equipment

18.10. SUN (concept development, testing)