Hephaistos Interdisciplinary Laboratory

Põhjala sepp ( Nordic blacksmith)

This forge is more than just a workspace, it’s a place where art and craftsmanship intertwine to create something truly extraordinary. Our philosophy is based on the belief that every piece we create should be both functional and visually captivating, transcending the traditional boundaries of blacksmithing and expanding the possibilities of this art form. Moreover, there’s no rush here; the work offers a sense of peace that contrasts with the outside world.

At its heart, there is a commitment to innovation. The workshop’s atmosphere encourages experimentation and pushing beyond known limits. Every tool in use is designed to expand possibilities when working with materials, allowing for the creation of more intricate and detailed works of art. As the saying goes, every blacksmith makes their own tools – but here, we’ve taken it a step further. We’ve developed and built machines and equipment tailored specifically for unique projects, often inspired by historical techniques but adapted with a modern, innovative approach.

In this forge, there’s a constant dialogue between past and future, between traditional techniques and contemporary approaches. The goal of it all is to enrich the art of blacksmithing, bringing new dimensions to it and proving that this ancient craft can still offer new, unexpected, and exciting expressions. We invite everyone to visit the forge at the end of Kopli peninsula and experience firsthand this unique symbiosis of art, craftsmanship, and innovation that creates something truly memorable.

And, to be honest, most of the above text was almost entirely written by ChatGPT. From my side, I’d add a few things. The idea for this forge began in 2019 when I went to blacksmith school. Since I couldn’t find the right machines – at least, not in my view – I started building them myself. So now, this is probably the only forge in Estonia where most of the machines are truly self-built. Also, there aren’t many forges located between a bookstore, a theater, and a piano salon, especially not in the same building. In addition, you’ll find tools here that haven’t yet made their way into Estonian forges – truly innovative machinery, as the previous text pointed out. And overall, blacksmithing is a really cool job. As I try to explain everywhere, anyone can manage blacksmithing in this forge, as long as they can hold a hammer. With the right guidance, of course!

So here’s the status of the forge in 2024.