PRESS RELEASE

MIHKEL KLEIS' (1977) exhibition "The art of torture" will be opened at Hobusepea Gallery on Wednesday at 5 pm, September 15th, 2004. Kleis will give a video-audio performance "Instead of life", and a concert by Mihkel Kleis (synthesizer, sound effects), Lauri Leis (electric guitar), Lotte Jürjendal (vocal) and Kiwa.

Mihkel Kleis has graduated from Estonian Academy of Art as a textile artist, however, the circles of fine textile art do not recognise him. Instead of yarning, Kleis cares about painting and sounds. The only hint to his decorative artist's degree in his work would be the flamboyant and poster-like colour gamma characteristic to pop art and pattern painting, first giving the effect of naive and primitive imagery. Closer observation reveals that this is the result of strenuous copying and learning as Kleis has been attracted to the visuals of pop culture at his pastime - including cd-covers, music videos, posters and book illustrations, maybe even candy wrappers... Kleis' decorativeness is intentional and misleading, with the aim of covering his gloomy interests. Thus, the artist mixes a weird coctail in his paintings, the ingredients being Krueger's movies, the exhibitions that he has visited, the music he has listened to, and plenty of other things experienced.

Elin Kard