Installation “To the Sea” at the Tallinna Linnahall rooftop

The Linnahall, built for the Tallinn Olympic Regatta held in 1980, was the first and only place offering common people access to the sea within the centre of the city during the Soviet era since all the port area was closed off. The low mastaba-like structure of the building was so designed to preserve a view of the Old Town from Tallinn Bay. The design of the Linnahall, by Raine Karp and Riina Altmäe, still appears fresh and modern.

However, because of poor construction quality and some functional shortcomings, the concert hall is in hibernation today, waiting for the winds of change and for investments. The stairs and the roof are still open to the public and the Linnahall continues to be a popular meeting place, especially in the warm season.

Installation derives from its location and the architectural concept of the Linnahall. By introducing the temporary structures of the viewing platforms, this installation emphasises a desire, concealed in the building, to move on towards the horizon and freedom. Addressing these universal striving and the official rhetoric of the capital of culture about ‘(re)opening Tallinn towards the sea’, the installation engages in a dialogue with the Linnahall’s recent past, present and, as we can also hope, future.

The installation was open to public from July till October, 2011.

Location

Tallinn, Estonia

Year

2010-2011

Status

Completed, Idea competition in 2010

Size

41,5 m²

Client

LIFT11, Urban Installations Festival

Design team