1998 „Playtime“ Vaal Gallery, Tallinn, EstoniaExhibition for men, women and children
Mall Nukke “Time for games”
Vaal Gallery, 24.03–11.04 1998
… In the window at Vaal Gallery we see tondos (round art works) with images of the Teletubbies. In the centre of the circles there are portraits of Buddha and Christ.
This opening image could be an embodiment of Mall Nukke’s creative philosophy. The most sacred symbols are combined with the most absurdly ridiculous that mass culture has to offer. But the meaning of the symbols cannot be expressed so simply.
Over time gods have also become part of mass culture, mainly thanks to contemporary forms of religion. Brightly coloured travel bureau flyers look no different to those that advertise paradise. Teletubbies are far more interesting and transcendental. Their behaviour, like the first century AD, is mystical and corresponds with what Christ said about children and the poor in spirit.
There are no authority figures today. Everyone knows that the most widespread information is not the most authoritative, but it has the most funding. You need to trust your common sense. I for one, will vote for the Teletubbies…
Mari Sobolev, art critic
|  View of exhibition “Playtime II“ Obu Gallery 1998, Tartu |  View of exhibition “Playtime“ Vaal Gallery 1998, Tallinn |  View of exhibition “Playtime“, series „ Portrait of a Star“ Vaal Gallery 1998, Tallinn |  “Kamasutra I“ carborundum, monotype 1998, 48 x 65 cm |  “Kamasutra II“ carborundum, monotype 1998, 48 x 65 cm |  “Kamasutra III“ carborundum, monotype 1998, 48 x 65 cm |  “Game Rule N°1“ carborundum, monotype 1998, 25 x 45 cm |  “Game Rule N°2“ carborundum, monotype 1998, 25 x 40 cm |  “Game Rule N°4“ carborundum, monotype 1998, 25 x 45 cm |  “Playtime“ carborundum, monotype 1998, 140 x 65 cm |  “Games for Money“ carborundum, monotype 1998, 98 x 120 cm |  “Portrait of a Star N°4“ carborundum, monotype 1998, 98 x 98 cm |  “Portrait of a Star N°5“ carborundum, monotype 1998, 98 x 98 cm |  “Portrait of a Star N°1“ carborundum, monotype 1998, 98 x 120 cm |  “Portrait of a Star N°2“ carborundum, monotype 1998, 98 x 120 cm |  “Portrait of a Star N°3“ carborundum, monotype 1998, 98 x 120 cm |  “Games of Chance I“ carborundum, monotype 1998, 98 x 120 cm |  “Games of Chance II“ carborundum, monotype 1998, 98 x 120 cm |