It’s not every day that an international touring art and fashion exhibition lands in Minneapolis. And after nearly a year that lacked our usual art and culture experiences due to COVID-19, this month’s opening of Papier at the American Swedish Institute is the deep breath of fresh air we all need—especially in the midst of a very cold Minnesota winter. The new exhibition showcasing the eye-popping paper couture of Polish-born, Stockholm-based artist-designer Bea Szenfeld alongside the evocative illustrations of Swedish artist-author Stina Wirsén.
Papier was first exhibited at Lidköping ArtHall in Sweden before heading to the House of Sweden, Embassy of Sweden in Washington, D.C. in February 2020. This staging marks the second time the exhibition is being hosted in the U.S., but this presentation is truly one of a kind. One of the things I love about seeing exhibitions at the American Swedish Institute is its distinctive Turnblad Mansion wing. The Turnblad is a turn-of-the-20th-century historic, restored mansion built in the French Chateauesque style by Swedish immigrants Swan and Christina Turnblad, a successful publisher of a Swedish-language newspaper. Unlike most box-like museum spaces, filled with white, pristine walls, the mansion has its own charming features, such as and grand staircases and stately sitting rooms. Only in Minneapolis can you see one of Szenfeld’s cascading paper dresses in the same room as an antique enamel-tiled fireplace. A truly whimsical pairing!
The artists’ work also pairs wonderfully together, the undulating, organic paper shapes of Szenfeld’s work playing off of the expressive watercolors and illustrations of Wirsén—many of which span entire walls of the museum. Szenfeld’s work continuously pushes the convention of both paper and fashion, with some pieces rendered in origami folds, and others made from thousands of individual pieces put together. In this new series, Szenfeld is said to be have been inspired by origami and Arte Povera, an Italian art movement during the late 1960s and early 1970s that saw artists exploring common materials and unconventional methods.
The exhibition is now on view during museum hours, and you must make a reservation to see the exhibition due to COVID-19 restrictions. I actually really enjoy the opportunity to see the exhibition without the usual crowds. These pieces really get a chance to breathe when you can be alone in a room with them. You can also register for a virtual tour of the exhibition with ASI's curators and artists. Tours take place the first Friday of every month.
“Papier” is on view February 6–July 11. Hours are Thursday–Sunday, 10am–4pm; advance, timed reservations are required to visit the museum and can be made at www.ASImn.org or by calling 612-871-4907 during museum hours. Tickets are $12 for adults, free for members and children under 6; discounts are available for older kids, students and seniors.
All photos by Jahna Peloquin