Jüri Okas
Encyclopedia
Jüri Okas is a notable Estonia
n architect
, installation art
st and print
maker.
From 1957 to 1968 Jüri Okas studied in the 46th Secondary School of Tallinn (today’s Pelgulinna Gymnasium of Tallinn). From 1968 to 1970 he studied in the Tallinn Polytechnic Institute (today’s Tallinn Technical University). From 1970 Jüri Okas studied in the State Art Institute of the Estonian SSR (today’s Estonian Academy of Arts
) in the department of architecture
. He graduated from the institute in 1974.
From 1974 to 1989 Jüri Okas worked in the design bureau EKE Projekt. From 1989 he has worked in the architectural bureau Okas&Lõoke OÜ.
Most notable works by Jüri Okas are the gas station in Paide
, the main building of Forekspank bank, the modern farm in Saaremaa
and the Delta Plaza office building in Tallinn.
The art creation by Jüri Okas includes numerous performances, photo collages, prints, installations, book designs and sculptures. Exhibitions of his works have been on display in many Estonian and Finnish galleries and his works have been part of exhibitions in Estonia
, Latvia
, Lithuania
, Finland
, Sweden
, Germany
, Italy
, Spain
, Canada
and Scotland
.
Jüri Okas is the son of painter Evald Okas
.
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
n architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, installation art
Installation art
Installation art describes an artistic genre of three-dimensional works that are often site-specific and designed to transform the perception of a space. Generally, the term is applied to interior spaces, whereas exterior interventions are often called Land art; however, the boundaries between...
st and print
Printmaking
Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. Printmaking normally covers only the process of creating prints with an element of originality, rather than just being a photographic reproduction of a painting. Except in the case of monotyping, the process is capable...
maker.
From 1957 to 1968 Jüri Okas studied in the 46th Secondary School of Tallinn (today’s Pelgulinna Gymnasium of Tallinn). From 1968 to 1970 he studied in the Tallinn Polytechnic Institute (today’s Tallinn Technical University). From 1970 Jüri Okas studied in the State Art Institute of the Estonian SSR (today’s Estonian Academy of Arts
Estonian Academy of Arts
The Estonian Academy of Arts is the only public university in Estonia providing higher education in art, design, architecture, media, art history and conservation-restoration...
) in the department of architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
. He graduated from the institute in 1974.
From 1974 to 1989 Jüri Okas worked in the design bureau EKE Projekt. From 1989 he has worked in the architectural bureau Okas&Lõoke OÜ.
Most notable works by Jüri Okas are the gas station in Paide
Paide
Paide is the capital of Järva County, Estonia.A castle built by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword is located here. The town was formally founded 30 September 1291 by Halt, master of the Livonian Order....
, the main building of Forekspank bank, the modern farm in Saaremaa
Saaremaa
Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia, measuring 2,673 km². The main island of Saare County, it is located in the Baltic Sea, south of Hiiumaa island, and belongs to the West Estonian Archipelago...
and the Delta Plaza office building in Tallinn.
The art creation by Jüri Okas includes numerous performances, photo collages, prints, installations, book designs and sculptures. Exhibitions of his works have been on display in many Estonian and Finnish galleries and his works have been part of exhibitions in Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
, Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
Jüri Okas is the son of painter Evald Okas
Evald Okas
Evald Okas was an Estonian painter, probably best known for his portraits of nudes.-Biography:Okas was born in Tallinn, where he began his artistic career while studying at the State Art School...
.
Works
- Astlanda business center, 1992 (unbuilt, with Marika LõokeMarika LõokeMarika Lõoke is an Estonian architect.From 1970 Marika Lõoke studied in the State Art Institute of the Estonian SSR in the department of architecture. She graduated from the institute in 1975.From 1975 to 1990 Marika Lõoke worked in the design bureau EKE Projekt...
) - Main office of the Forekspank bank, 1997 (with Marika Lõoke)
- Estconde business center, 1999 (with Marika Lõoke)
- Office building in the city center of Tallinn, 2001 (with Marika Lõoke)
- Modern farm in Saaremaa, 2002
- Apartment building on Kaarli Road, 2004 (with Marika Lõoke)
- Apartment building on Rävala Road, 2005 (with Marika Lõoke)
- Delta Plaza business center, 2008 (with Marika Lõoke)
Art
- Reconstruction O, print, 1974
- Reconstruction M, print, 1976
- Environment, installation, 1976, Tallinn
- Untitled, land art, 1979, Vääna-Jõesuu
- Perspective, installation, 1979, Harku
- Landscape II, print, 1982
- Torn I, sügavtrükk, 1986
- Nest, installation, 1987, Tallinn
- Cross-roads, installation, 1995, TartuTartuTartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
- Drench to Heaven, installation, 1996, RostockRostockRostock -Early history:In the 11th century Polabian Slavs founded a settlement at the Warnow river called Roztoc ; the name Rostock is derived from that designation. The Danish king Valdemar I set the town aflame in 1161.Afterwards the place was settled by German traders...