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Anne Kløvnes Høidal
This upcoming exhibition of Norwegian folk art at the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park will be the first of its kind in San Diego. There has never been an exhibition of Norwegian folk art of this size and importance in Southern California, and probably not in all of California. On display will be items dating from 1450 up to the present time. Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum, in Decorah, Iowa, will assist by lending important pieces from its own collection. A surprising amount of high quality family heirlooms from local collectors will also be on display.
Among the many beautiful objects is a very fine assortment of rose painted immigrant chests, as well as more plain, but not less beautiful trunks without painting. The oldest date from the late 1700's. Fortunately, quite a few larger pieces of furniture will also be on display at the Museum. Obviously, it was very difficult for the immigrants to take along furniture to the new country, and consequently such items are very rare in the United States.
In addition to furniture, rose painted bowls and boxes, and many household items, a sizable collection of very unusual weavings will be shown. Some folk costumes and old jewelry provide added color and interest to the exhibition.
Every item on display has its own history and speaks to us about the value the immigrants placed on these items. When these objects are seen, it becomes obvious that even in poor rural areas of Norway beauty was very important in people's everyday life, and the patina of several hundred years adds to the simple beauty of each object.
"Norway: Art of the Land and the People," which opens to the public on October 23, is definitely a must see exhibition, not only for people of Scandinavian extraction, but for a much wider public! The Mingei Museum may be contacted for docent tours. For more information call (619) 239-0003 or go to
www.mingei.org
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Unionsoppløsningen |
Norsk Fest  October 15, 2005 |
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© House of Norway, 2005
