master chambers

Ingmar Jõela

master chambers presents
Ingmar Jõela

Ingmar Jõela is someone who can move between the extremes effortlessly and create an aura of trance that occupies the viewer. That has happened to me each time when I have photographed him or his projects. It is a rich and diverse experience filled with many layers to explore. He takes you on a journey, stimulating all of your senses.

Ingmar works with a variety of fields to build cohesive plays that feature a sense of experimentation. By incorporating uncommon angles with eclecticism his projects feel authentic and more of his own. His versatile background enables him to compose with music, movement, light and text like a composer with an orchestra creating plays that feel whole and rich in texture.

Ingmar Jõela : Website Instagram
Photography & Interview : Silver Mikiver

How do you work?

The creative methods can be very different. I resonate with the artisan approach the most. I like to shape from existing material to expand ideas and form new perspectives. When improvising with dancers I let them create and flow with some direction to find an emotion I am looking for.

I am grateful that I had the chance to work in Von Krahl as an actor. It was very formative in terms of how to do theatre, make sense of the material, and what tools to use. It gave me a lot of courage to express and experiment.

The best acting happens when you are not acting, only reacting. The question is how much you can connect with the story and its motives even if it is gruesome.

I think more people now feel like citizens of the world who connect regardless of location or culture.

I think people have a need to belong to a certain group even if they are freelancers. When I took acting classes I felt that working in the theatre and belonging to a tight group is something I want. I started to idealise this idea and thought the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre would be the only way I could achieve this. I still remember all the pain and misery of not getting in the first time… I realise now that a sense of belonging can only come from the people you work with, not necessarily from a place itself.

I went to Tallinn University to study Choreography. During the opening week we were asked why we chose to study dance and one of the students said she wanted to become a fitness trainer and I was like ffffffu... There was none of the artsy, romantic student life that I had envisioned and dreamed about. No writing poems together, playing the guitar during the sunset, and so on. The Academy of Music and Theatre was still on my mind and after studying choreography for three years I finally got in 2014.

My father was a big hustler in the 90’s. Full tracksuit, selling stuff in the elevators, access to the first Nokia’s and so on. I got to try many things with him growing up. I was definitely blessed in that way. On the other hand, my parents were quite easy on me in terms of picking a certain path to follow. I wish they pushed me a bit more.

How to learn?

Early on I had a very good acting teacher, Maret Oomer. She focused more on the mindset - how to view the world, how to think, how to be present. I studied with her all of my childhood. She used to read very complex texts to us and say: ‘‘ Use whatever was important for you ’’. We had about 30 minutes to make a play based on what we remembered.

Compared to the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre where we had to study all the text and analyze everything, Maret's approach was immensely immersive because it enabled us to create something that was personal and authentic. I learned a lot.

Critics should not declare what is good or bad, high or low. The conversation should revolve around what is happening in our society, how and why authors are dealing with the subjects and what are the pain points that need more exploration. Critics could instead inform creators in this process on how to present the most diverse and rich expression of their core message.

What is Utopia Entertainment?

Utopia is a dance group but we behave more like musicians or like a band. Each dancer is like an instrument and crucial to create a whole experience. We don’t have a choir, we have individuals.

I like to combine different aesthetics. Complete eclecticism. Some people might view this as a negative but it allows me to create with more ease and flow with the courage to experiment. I believe in play and experimentation and support anyone who is willing to do the same.

What is your current direction?

Either to start building a community in Estonia or to spend a couple of years overseas. I fantasise about the two. When I was younger and started to dance, people often asked me why don’t you go overseas, Estonia will be too small for you. I thought I wouldn’t be on the same level and that it would be too hard to compete. I wanted to do theatre and I could do it here in my mother language at a much higher level.

I have always seen the world through bizarre connections.

How do you define mastery?

When we are young we are developing and changing in so many ways. We are influenced by the movies we watch, the colors we see, the music we listen and emotions we feel. Our own unique collage is formed from all of the fragments we identify as part of us. At some point we need to take a clear look at ourselves to understand why we like certain colors, why we read specific books, and why we feel some emotions more than others. Having a clear and strong understanding of where you are coming from and where you want to go creates a basis for moving toward mastery.

Choose your tools, know how to use them and have firm beliefs and values that support your creative direction. This creates a solid foundation.

How to pursue self-expression?

The existence of the fear that people may feel is justified but its content probably is not. You have to trust yourself and the signs that you are surrounded with. I believe our life wants us to move towards something. We must pay attention to the small details. We need to figure out what we can offer and where we are needed.

The Beauty is in knowing and accepting your path.
When there is a pull, there is a path.

If you lay a brick wall in a unconventional way, it makes the process way more interesting. When somebody doesn’t like your wall, who cares! Think about all the lessons and insights you got from your idea. Brick walls don't have to be laid using bricks!