HELP FINDING THE UGLIEST PLACE IN THE CITY!

Workshop leaders

Katja Muttilainen, MA, MH

Valgusõpetaja, – kunstnik, – kuraator

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.

Purpose

Ugliest Place in the City workshop

The workshop is part of TAVA26 light festival and is based on a light art concept “The ugliest place in the city” by Katja Muttilainen. The concept is communal, social and sociological all at the same time. The citizens vote for the ugliest place in Tartu and it will then be lit visible and seen during the Tartu Valgus 2026 light festival. Tartu Valgus 2026 valgusfestivali ajal.

The light art is strongly site-specific based on the survey results and linked to the history of the location. The workshop participants can make a direct comment to the surrounding cityscape, but will also raise awareness and provide information to city development as well as curiosity to the citizens. The artwork reveals different, maybe even out of normal, visual experiences and raises questions of the spirit of an ugly place through lighting based. It is a starting point of a fruitful discussion: Can an ugly place be seen differently, and what are the possibilities?

“Ugly place”-lighting concept is created by light artist Katja Muttilainen (FIN) and is organised in collaboration with the city of Oulu and Tartu Valgus. The artwork will be seen also at LUMO light festival in Oulu during European Capital of Culture year 2026. Tartu is the first place where the concept will be realised in 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.
Creation of the concept: with the help of instructors, creative cooperation is carried out among themselves to develop the concepts of light installations.
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.
Participation in group discussions giving and receiving feedback: participate in critical discussions with peers and supervisors, receiving constructive feedback to improve your work.
participating in the TAVA24 exhibition: completed installations are presented to a wider audience on the TAVA24 light track.

Date & place

16 – 25/10/2026

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. FRI (arrival day)

Evening:

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)

Day:

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)

Day: