Jüri Mildeberg’s exhibition Panopticon IV was opened in the windows of the Museum of Puppetry Arts on 14th October 2025. The exhibition is part of the panopticon-themed series, in which the artist creates enigmatic worlds out of fantastical objects.
The term panopticon was coined by philosopher Jeremy Bentham in the 18th century. It denotes a circular building – such as a prison or a factory – with a tower in the centre, which allows observing everything that goes on in the building. Looking in the Nunne street windows, passers-by can view the unusual world of creatures made of bits and pieces from antique shops.
Jüri Mildeberg is a freelance illustrator, painter and graphic designer, whose work is characterised by warmth, friendliness and secrets. Mildeberg has staged 47 solo exhibitions in Estonia as well as abroad. He has illustrated numerous children’s books, including Anti Saar’s Storybook (2016) and Mihkel Uman’s Emma and the Time Stone (2006), which both received awards at the 25 Most Beautiful Estonian Books competition. Emma and the Time Stone, or Theatre of the Puppets was also staged in the Estonian Theatre for Young Audiences in 2014.
The exhibition can be found in the windows of the Museum of Puppetry Arts in Nunne street (outside) and can be visited without a ticket.
Author: Jüri Mildeberg
Contact: mildebergius9@gmail.com
