where's the puss by Carolin Weinert (http://elia-artschools.org/festival/work/wheres-the-puss or in real life during the LIVE festival in the Kullo gallery in Tallinn). A serious subject matter rendered with a twist. And cats. Always good to have cats.
Interesting how art has turned from pure aesthetics to works criticism and conscience. The aesthetics is usually still there, but rarely do we see beauty for the sake of beauty these days. I have friends who are studying art or making art and I can't think of the last time I heard one of them say: "I think I'll just make something beautiful today." Nope, making something meaningful is much more important. Something that will change the world for the better (or at least show how messed up everything is for starters). Reminds me of something my old theatre teacher used to say: "Changing the world with art is like hammering a nail into the wall with a telephone: it can be done, but there are much easier ways to do it." Still, it is a noble cause and each of us must use the toys the gods have given us I suppose.

I think music (especially classical music) has still mostly retained its purely aesthetic function. Although many songs have played key roles in revolutions, the majority of music is made purely for your listening pleasure. Like The Bridge of Music: From Lithuania to Estonia by Trio CLAVIOLA (http://elia-artschools.org/festival/work/the-bridge-of-music-from-lithuania-to-estonia  or live on 19.11. at 15:00 during the LIVE festival in Mustpeade maja, Tallinn), which is a chamber music concert. Sure, they have a clear artistic statement, but it is not in any way political. They just want to play a few great (but rarely-heard) pieces of music for their audience's listening pleasure and to help everyone relax. Splendid!

But like any rule, this also comes with a few exceptions. Take Pram Tak Mir by Sander Saarmets (http://elia-artschools.org/festival/work/the-bridge-of-music-from-lithuania-to-estonia or live in Tallinn during the LIVE festival on 20.11. at 14:00 in Mustpeade maja). The first thing You should know, is that it's musical material is derived from trams moving past the composers current residence. Yes, You read correctly. Trams. Which really changed the way I started to look (or listen, to be more specific) at trams. That's another wonderful thing art does sometimes: it makes one see (or hear) things differently. It offers an alternative viewpoint, something most people would never think of themselves. Very educational, in a truly good sense of the word.