What Is so Wild Here? Symbolism in the Art of the Baltic States (2018–2021): Project Evaluation and Resonance

Abstract

The joint Baltic exhibition Wild Souls. Symbolism in the Art of the Baltic States took place in Paris in 2018 at the Musée d’Orsay, which offered its most prestigious hall for the project. The museum was also the main financial partner, enabling the realisation of both the exhibition and its catalogue. The aim of the Baltic colleagues was to develop the project as a travelling exhibition, whose entire route—including Tallinn (2018), Vilnius (2020), and Riga (2020–2021)—was considered important. Each museum contributed its own perspective and research input. While retaining the overall concept and changing only details and emphases, each museum presented a different narrative—Estonian, Lithuanian, and Latvian versions of the saga of Symbolism.

Each of the national art museums in the Baltic states had already undertaken research and related activities on this theme. The project, which began as an investigative process into Symbolism, became an important catalyst for cultural exchange between the Baltic states and France. It was a definite success for the general curator, Rodolphe Rapetti (France), supported by the cooperation among the Baltic national art museums. The preparatory stage of the exhibition was especially productive, bringing many new discoveries as well as scientific conferences held in each of the participating countries.

This paper examines the research platform created in the Baltic countries, parallel publications and activities in France, and evaluates, with the benefit of hindsight, the resonance of the ideas generated through the project.