In this video, Mare Tralla revisits the classic socialist myth of women as work heroines, drawing on documentary archives of the Soviet era. After the fall of Communism, the classical images of milkmaids, factory workers, and tractor drivers gave way to capitalist images of feminine beauty and supermodel-like bodies. Ironically, Tralla compares both models and the efforts they involve.
Mare Trallas (Estonia, 1967) professional art career started in Estonia in early 90s, where she became one of the leading interdisciplinary artist of younger generation. Her practice shaped by the rapid changes in Estonian society is often a direct critical response to those changes and especially how those affected women. In 1995 she co-curated with Eha Komissarov and Reet Varblane the first openly feminist Estonian art exhibition Est.Fem. Between 1996-2010 Tralla lived and worked in London and Tallinn. She continues to deal with social issues.
Filmography
Love Me Tender (2010)
Fat Kid Pretty Kid if it’s not a Girl, (2009)
When Estonian Peasant meets Russian Miner or When Russian Miner meets Estonian
Peasant (2008)
Weeviews (2007)
Unforgettable Hits (2006)
Plovdiv (2001)
Felt Boots (2000)
DIY Tallinn Fashion House (1999)
Ice Drift (1996)
A Toy (1995)