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March 131 pm – 2 pm CDT
Arts & Culture
March 136:30 pm – 8 pm
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I had such a wonderful time at ASI that I became a member! Thank you for the excellent programming you bring to our Twin Cities community!— ASI Member
I had such a wonderful time at ASI that I became a member! Thank you for the excellent programming you bring to our Twin Cities community!
A trip to Minneapolis isn't complete without a visit to ASI— CNN
A trip to Minneapolis isn't complete without a visit to ASI
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Discover the brilliance of internationally acclaimed Swedish artist Ann Wolff in a new exhibition, Ann Wolff: The Art of Living, at the American Swedish Institute. Curated in partnership with the Ann Wolff Foundation and the artist herself, the exhibition showcases breathtaking artworks by Wolff cleverly displayed throughout the historic Turnblad Mansion.
Wolff’s work meets local artists Nancy Randall and Laurie Van Wieren, engaging in dialogue with one another within the historic Turnblad Mansion in this significant exhibition series, Ann Wolff: The Art of Living.
With over five decades on the international scene, Wolff (b. 1937) has earned recognition as one of the world’s foremost artists working with glass, known for her distinctive sculptural creations. Her deeply personal approach to her life-long artistry extends beyond glass to metal, concrete, drawing and photography exploring themes of identity, self-expression, and the art of living.
“Art is coming from my inside. I am working as its servant—I let it out not thinking too much—using my hands and gesture—choosing a material to put it on place. I do not use the art. It is using me.” — Ann Wolff
From large glass and concrete sculptures to delicate nickel silver castings, this exhibition explores Wolff’s multifaceted artistic evolution from the early 2000s to the present. This is the largest presentation of artworks by Wolff outside of Sweden, featuring works on loan from private collections, including the Minnesota based Cafesjian Art Trust.
Photo credit: Patrick Siegrist
Nancy Randall is a visual artist whose seven-decade career spans many mediums. Since the 1950s, her work has been exhibited in galleries, including the Walker Art Center, Weisman Art Museum, and the Smithsonian. Through her art, Nancy explores themes of transformation, including storied images of birth, evolution, epiphany, aging, death, and rebirth.
Her latest series, In the Bardo, created at age 95, will be on display for the first time. This series reflects the space Nancy feels that humans currently occupy—a space between death and rebirth. Each piece depicts transitional landscapes populated by creatures in motion, their ambiguous surroundings heightening the mystery of their journey.
Alongside In the Bardo, visitors can view Footprints of the Voyage, a series of nine lithographs created by Nancy in 2002 and preserved in the ASI Collection. This series chronicles a circular journey from New Mexico to the high plains, Norway, and back home, capturing a poetic sense of place and passage.
Laurie Van Wieren, a Chicago native with Swedish roots, moved to Minneapolis and became a prominent figure in the local dance and art scene. For this exhibition, Laurie choreographed and directed a dynamic, movement-based interpretation of Ann Wolff’s works and themes through performances by a local dance ensemble.
Responding to Ann Wolff’s sculptures and drawings, as well as the concept of self-identity, Laurie’s choreography begins with what seems deceptively simple—steps, stillness, and gestures. These elements gradually unravel into something deeply intimate and questioning. For this residency, Laurie Van Wieren has brought together a cast of local, intergenerational dancers: Dexter Carlson, Judith Howard, Margaret Ogas, Alys Ayumi Ogura, Judee Shui Xian, and Jinza Thayer.
Through Laurie’s creative vision and direction, this exceptional collective of artists has created solo and ensemble dances inspired by themes of self-portraiture, aging, personal history, and the current world. Through weeks of rehearsals and micro-performances within the Turnblad Mansion—a space layered with time, stories, and presence—they have explored the intersections of identity and time.
This exhibition will also feature a dynamic, movement-based interpretation of Ann Wolff’s works and themes through performances by a local dance ensemble, choreographed and directed by interdisciplinary artist Laurie Van Wieren.
The residency concludes with a dynamic full-length performance at ASI on May 24 at 7 pm. Visit the Last Look for more information and tickets.
The community is also warmly invited to join the ensemble in exploration of self-portraits and movement on select Thursday evenings in the exhibition galleries, included with museum admission. All meet & greet activations are from 6–8 pm on these dates:
March 13 March 17 April 10 April 24 May 8
Ann Wolf: The Art of Living is hosted by the American Swedish Institute with support from the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation and ASI’s members and donors. The exhibition’s media partner is the Minnesota Public Radio (MPR). Minnesota artist activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
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