Exhibits at ASI
Swedish Life in the Twin Cities
Third Floor/Ballroom
The history of the Swedish-American community in Minneapolis and St. Paul comes to life in this exhibit. Personal diary and journal entries, objects brought from Sweden, family photos, maps and artifacts from the American Swedish Institute collection, as well as vintage sound recordings and video segments tell the day-to-day story of what life was like for Swedish immigrants in the Twin Cities.
“Swedish Life in the Twin Cities” examines why the immigrants left Sweden and traces their journey to Minnesota. It follows them as they settle in Swedish-American neighborhoods, including Payne Avenue and Swede Hollow, and considers what life was like for a typical immigrant family at home. The exhibit also features an early account of the area by Swedish journalist Fredrika Bremer, the story of Jacob Fahlstrom, who is thought to be the first Swede in Minnesota, and the history of Swan Turnblad, who founded the American Swedish Institute in 1929. In addition, “Swedish Life in the Twin Cities” includes a display on Swedish-American theater, featuring the vaudeville performers of the Cedar-Riverside area of Minneapolis known as “Snoose Boulevard.” The exhibition also looks at ongoing craft traditions and the nostalgia for the homeland felt by many immigrants.
“Swedish Life in the Twin Cities” is the Donald E. Benson and David E. and Mary Jo Monson Exhibition on the Swedish Presence in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
80 Years Young: The American Swedish Institute
November 4, 2009–April 18, 2010
The year 2009 marks the 80th anniversary of the American Swedish Institute, founded in 1929 by Swedish immigrant Swan J. Turnblad. This holiday season, we celebrate this important anniversary with a special exhibit on ASI’s history that is focused on what is at the very core of the organization—our community.
The community that Mr. Turnblad donated his mansion to eighty years ago is still a vital community passionate about the organization’s mission. This is evident any time you visit the mansion—on any given day, there are a number of classes, clubs, societies, and groups of friends meeting here to learn, volunteer, or socialize over a cup of coffee. So many people, past and present, have dedicated their time, resources and effort to keeping this organization going strong.
This human history will be the focus of the exhibit 80 Years Young: The American Swedish Institute, which opens on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The exhibit highlights key dates, photos and events in ASI’s history. Archival material will be on display, including newspaper articles, formal dinner menus, photos, and more, along with items from the ASI permanent collection. Together, the informational panels, archival material and collection items will form an illustrated timeline of the Institute’s history. The research for this exhibit has been undertaken by Byron Nordstrom, professor emeritus of Gustavus Adolphus College and author of “Scandinavia Since 1500” and “The History of Sweden.”
This exhibit invites attendees to take part in the documentation effort in two ways. In the gallery, attendees are invited to record their memories of the American Swedish Institute, as well as help identify individuals in photos from ASI’s collections. Secondly, we invite one and all to e-mail in memories pertaining to ASI’s history; these will be selectively posted to our website, and will also be collected in our archives.
This project has been financed in part with funds provided by the State of Minnesota through the Minnesota Historical Society’s Grants-in-Aid Program.
17 Swedish Designers
January 29 – May 30, 2010
The exhibit 17 Swedish Designers features the work of seventeen contemporary Swedish designers—all young, progressive women. The exhibit, which is on tour in the U.S. and on display at the American Swedish Institute from Jan. 29 through May 30, 2010, showcases exciting examples of the most recent work from these seventeen designers, spanning a wide variety of design fields including glass, ceramics, textiles, architecture, furniture, industrial design, interior design, and graphic design.
Running a black and white theme with bright accents, the exhibit suggests a flavor of contemporary thoughts and solutions for developing good design for every day use. Since all seventeen are talented women of the same generation, they share a common worldview, displaying an impressive versatility, a fearless desire to experiment, as well as determination and dedication in turning visions into reality.
The seventeen designers featured in the exhibit have shown their work at Gallery Pascale in Stockholm. The French owner, Pascale Cottard-Olsson, has an instinctive ability to spot talented designers. The exhibit displays the various individual designers’ recent work, ranging from small items such as porcelain and glass to textiles and furniture.
Swedes are reputed pioneers in innovative design and demonstrate great diversity within the field. Minimalism and practicality are important, and designers are often consumer conscious. Swedish design used to be largely male dominated, but with increasing number of women choosing the design profession, the concept of design has changed; women have incorporated a more sensual vision characterized by female experiences.
Internationally, Swedish designers have contributed, independently and in collaboration with global talent to develop designs using new materials and cutting edge production methods. In the U.S., interest in Swedish design is strong, and an exhibit featuring women has long been due.
In collaboration with the Swedish Embassy, Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation and Svensk Form (the Swedish Society of Crafts and Design), we are happy to present this exhibit at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. Sponsors of the traveling exhibition are Garnas AB, Langenskiolds Forlag and Falth&Hessler.
From November 2009 through early 2011, 17 Swedish Designers is on tour of the U.S., with tour venues including the Cleveland Institute of Art, the American Swedish Institute, the Swedish American Institute in Chicago, the World Market Center in Las Vegas, and House of Sweden in Washington, D.C.
Portraits and photos of the designers can be found at
www.17swedishdesigners.com.
