You Can’t Have Me For Real

Although humans generally prefer to live in groups, not everyone is inherently social. Despite cities having more residents than ever before in history, many people spend a significant portion of their lives in solitude, either by choice or due to a combination of circumstances. For instance, changing family structures have led to an increasing number of elderly individuals living alone. The urban environment significantly contributes to the emergence of feelings of loneliness. Factors such as living in small, separate apartments and limited access to green spaces or other communal areas can negatively impact one’s sense of well-being.

However, selective solitude can also offer time and space for inner reflection. Many artists and creators consciously seek out and embrace this state. Today, the life of a freelance artist often involves residing or studying in various locations. Residencies and academic programmes around the world differ in duration, focus and format, providing artists with valuable opportunities to work intensively on their creative projects.

Diana Tamane’s work You Can’t Have Me For Real features photographs primarily from Tartu, Porto and Brussels – cities where she has studied throughout her life. While much of her work from this period draws inspiration from her female relatives, this particular piece explores the deeply personal experience of living alone in a foreign place. In the background of the video, the artist’s own voice can be heard, typically directing the camera toward others. In light of the exhibition space, Tamane has adapted a previously written text originally crafted in Brussels. The version displayed here was created in 2022 for the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tallinn.