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WORKSHOP
THE UGLIEST PLACE IN TARTU 16.-22.10.2026
The “Ugliest Place in Tartu” lighting design workshop is part of the TAVA26 Light Biennial and is based on Katja Muttilainen’s light art concept “The Ugliest Place in the City.”
The concept of the workshop is at once civic, social, and sociological. City residents will vote to select the ugliest place in Tartu, which will then be transformed through lighting during the TAVA26 Light Biennial.
A site-specific lighting solution—rooted in the history of the “ugly place”—will be developed together with workshop participants. Through light, they will be able to comment on the public space around us, raising awareness among residents and sparking curiosity.
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.
WORKSHOP
KATJA MUTTILAINEN
Katja Muttilainen, 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.
WHO IS KATJA?
Katja Muttilainen (b. 1975, Varkaus, Finland) is a Tampere-based lighting specialist with a background in lighting design and teaching. Since 1998, she has designed and produced numerous lighting installations for theatre and contemporary dance.
His pedagogical career began in 2003, and in addition to his teaching and creative work, he currently works as a curator of light art. Muttilainen mainly uses light, illumination and augmented reality (AR) as media in his work. He has a broad interest in social phenomena, interpersonal encounters and communication.
WORKSHOP`S
ACTIVITIES
PARTICIPATION IN LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
The workshop instructor will provide an overview of the entire process and share information about the latest trends in the field.
COMPOSITION OF SITE-SPECIFIC ANALYSIS
Investigating and analyzing the location and history of workshop objects both during the day and at night to gain an in-depth understanding of the location and its context.
CREATING A CONCEPT
With the help of a supervisor, creative collaboration is carried out to develop lighting design concepts.
CREATING AND TESTING PROTOTYPES
Sketches and prototypes are created, different materials and lighting solutions are tested to bring their ideas to life.
CONSTRUCTION OF INSTALLATIONS
Full-scale lighting solutions for the urban space will be built at the selected location.
PARTICIPATING IN GROUP DISCUSSIONS
Participate in critical discussions with peers and supervisor, receiving constructive feedback to improve your work
PUBLIC ATTENTION
The lighting design installation completed in the workshop will be presented to a wider audience on the TAVA26 light trail.
SCHEDULE
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE AND PARTICIPATION
The workshop will take place from October 16th to 22nd, 2026. The schedule will be finalized after we see which place is the “ugliest”.
━ Arrival in Tartu
━ On-site visit to learn about the architecture, existing lighting and views, routes and surroundings
━ Impressions and overview of the preliminary task
━ On-site visit during the day
━ Background lectures on lighting by the workshop leader and Tartu residents
━ Brainstorming ideas and possibilities, storyline
━ Evening: familiarization with the equipment
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Concept decisions and sketches/drafts for testing
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Electrical inspection and safety protocols
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. On-site equipment testing based on lighting ideas/solutions
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Feedback and discussions
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Final decisions on concept and storyline
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Start of lighting installation setup
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Lighting installation work continues
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Continuation of on-site lighting installation work
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Lighting programming
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Press release for the media
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Feedback and discussions
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Adjustments, programming, cleanup
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Maintenance information for biennale organizers
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Tour and final inspections
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Visit to the opening of the light art exhibition at Pallas Gallery
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Final on-site check, cleanup, safety
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Final inspections
SIGN UP
HOW TO SIGN UP?
Workshop prices:
Student (with certificate)
50€
An adult
150€
Supporter's ticket
450€
*VAT will be added for VAT registered persons. Workshop participants have the right to free access to the Biennale area and concerts.
To register for the workshop, please fill out the form.
Additional information
Katja Muttilainen
Workshop instructor
Elo Liiv
Chief Curator of TAVA26
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