On Sunday, 19th April at 5 PM (GMT +3) Fotografiska does a live tour from the exhibition The Darkroom by Tom of Finland that opens unknown photography side of the artist himself. Not too many people know that the world-famous sketch artist of homoerotic art Tom of Finland (Touko Laaksonen) took photographs of his friends and partners to use as inspiration for his artwork. Fotografiska Tallinn is the first place in the world where his photography is displayed, together with his drawings. The exhibition was produced in collaboration with Tom of Finland Foundation.
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The exhibition includes unique original photographs, photographic collages, sketches and drawings: all of them created by Tom, where we get to see the entire process from photographs to sketches and finally the finished drawing. This treasure chest of images, that's never been shown before, gives a more in-depth insight into how his skilfully drawn super-macho men were created. Men full of confidence and dressed in uniforms, the leather or latex that referred to the trend in gay culture.
With his artwork, Touko Laaksonen thoroughly challenged contemporary society. Gay community, where he spread happiness and excitement, regarded him as the hottest trend in the world. At that time homosexuality was criminalised and classified as a mental disorder. For hiding his identity, Touko Laaksonen worked for years under various pseudonyms.

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“We already have a tradition to organise different exhibition tours at Fotografiska that are lead by our guides, guest guides or artists and curators. People like this format since they have a chance to get to know the exhibition and author a lot better. Our spring season with new exhibitions went on pause due to coronavirus and emergency situation in Estonia. So for the first time ever, we bring our tour to the digital channels, offering people to experience something that's currently displayed behind the closed doors at Fotografiska Tallinn,” Maarja Loorents, the Co-Founder and Exhibition Lead of Fotografiska Tallinn, explains.
“Very soon, at the beginning of May, it's 100 years since the birth of Tom of Finland, that's why we decided to do the live-tour dedicated to him,” Loorents adds. Also, April 19th is the last day when the exhibition could've been seen in Fotografiska.

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Technically the tour is structured to offer as authentic experience as possible, making the audience feel like they're part of the physical environment of the exhibition. The viewers can see close-ups of the images and listen to the stories that are behind the pictures. Participants are included to the tour although they are watching the live-journey behind the screens at home. Meaning, they can ask questions from the curator or the guide. Besides, there'll be three guests who forward their questions through a video call.

Live-tour is led by our Fotografiska Tallinn guide Elo Aun. The curator of the exhibition Berndt Arell joins the tour via video call, he has worked with Tom's artwork for many years now. All the participants can join the tour with YouTube link that'll be shared soon in Fotografiska Tallinn's social media. Questions can be asked via Slido app. The live-tour takes about 45 minutes and is in English.

The access to the tour is free of charge, but it's possible to still buy the exhibition ticket online. It could be a gesture from the audience, giving a sign that they appreciated the cultural experience. But also, it could be a statement of goodwill by supporting Fotografiska during the time when the place is physically closed.

The director of the tour is Sander Allikmäe, and the technical director is Indrek Viiret.

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Read more about the exhibition The Darkroom from Fotografiska Tallinn website.