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Events
July 13, 2026

The Passage

What does it feel like to arrive? The artists’ association Open P.Arts Collective answers this question with “The Passage” (Estonian: Kaasteelised), a multisensory art installation opening at Paavli Kultuurivabrik on July 17, 2026. The exhibition guides visitors through a deeply immersive, three-stage journey symbolizing birth, meeting, and ultimate coexistence.

Poster for the multisensory installation The Passage. The background is dominated by purple and pink textures reminiscent of tulle, through which fingertips can be seen moving gently, as if exploring. Illustrated seagulls appear to be flying across the fabric surfaces. At the center, a large black circle contains the title and key information in white text: “Art installation The Passage. Opening 17.07 at 18:00, Paavli Kultuurivabrik.” In the top right corner, a black banner features the logo of the PAIR programme alongside those of the participating organizations, while in the bottom left corner appears the logo of the European Union.

“The Passage”: A Multisensory Art Journey

Spanning an intimately structured architectural space separated by curated fabric partitions, “The Passage” challenges and expands the limits of human perception. Participants begin in the twilight of The Red Room (The Womb), a warm, safe environment of soft textures designed for self-reflection. Transitioning through blue curtains, they enter The Blue Room (The World’s Intervention), where a central partition features cutouts and pockets containing objects, allowing participants to interact, exchange tactile items, and navigate boundaries with the person on the other side. The experience culminates in The White Room (The Encounter), a shared space where participants meet face-to-face alongside a short film exploring the universal pillars of the human experience—family, nature, animals, and the definition of “home.”

“We believe that everyone has the right to experience and create art, regardless of their physical or mental abilities,” states the Open P.Arts Collective, which comprises artists Sara Fontana, Marleen Kuusik, and Heleri Luuga. “This installation explores the shared journey of human experience while fundamentally honoring its specificity, which depends entirely on the unique senses and opportunities available to each individual.”

Pioneering Creative Accessibility

“The Passage” was developed under the framework of the international innovation project P.A.I.R. (Paving Accessible and Inclusive Realities, 2024–2026). Co-funded by the European Union, this initiative aims to radically rethink access to culture by bringing together disabled and non-disabled artists to build multi-sensory and digital art environments. To ensure complete intellectual and physical access, the collective has integrated comprehensive accessibility layers into the core of the installation:

  • Linguistic Accessibility: All textual and conceptual information is structured clearly and comprehensibly.

  • D/deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Accessibility: An introductory Estonian Sign Language (EVK) video with subtitles is provided prior to entry, and all visual materials feature integrated subtitles.

  • Visual Accessibility: The experience relies heavily on tactile exploration (varying textures and temperatures), complemented by fully integrated audio descriptions and on-site descriptive guidance via QR codes.

  • Physical Accessibility: Paavli Kultuurivabrik is fully equipped with ramps and accessible restroom facilities to accommodate visitors with mobility disabilities.

Event Details & Practical Information

Venue: Paavli Kultuurivabrik (Paavli tn 7, Tallinn, Estonia)
Opening Night: Friday, July 17, 2026, at 18:00 (Early arrival permitted)
Exhibition Hours: * Saturday, July 18: From 12:00 (Open all night), Sunday, July 19: 12:00 – 21:00

Admission: FREE

Amenities: The Paavli Kultuurivabrik bar will be open on-site, serving a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Media Contact & Inquiries:

Organizer: Open P.Arts Collective

Email: [email protected]

Collaboration Partners: Estonian Agrenska Foundation, liminal, Alternative Brains Rule, Erisuste Erinevused, Paavli Kultuurivabrik, MTÜ Vaimupuu, MTÜ Viipelism, Visuaalsuse Vahendaja OÜ.

Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.