Where the Children Sleep is an exhibition of emotionally moving photographs of refugee children by award-winning Swedish photojournalist Magnus Wennman January 21 ”“ March 5, 2017, at the American Swedish Institute inspired by a theme of Migration, Identity and Belonging, reflecting our founding by Swedish immigrants and a mission to be a gathering place for all people to share experiences around themes of culture, migration, the environment and the arts.Â
Where the Children Sleep is a collection of photographs by the internationally acclaimed Magnus Wennman, who earned two World Press Photo Awards and was named Sweden”'s Photographer of the Year four times.  During his work, Wennman encountered refugees in numerous camps in the Middle East and on their journeys through Europe. His images and stories depict Syrian children who were forced out of their homes by the ongoing war, losing everything.  This exhibition is being presented in collaboration with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
Also Swede Hollow, a display based on Ola Larsmo”'s best-selling Swedish novel that imagines immigrant life at this St. Paul site. The Stories They Told animates the narrative of flat plane figure wood carving, and Green Card Voices shares contemporary Nordic immigrant stories. Cows Can Dream, our Family Gallery exhibition inspired by Sam the cow in Maria Bajt and Jason Diakité”'s children”'s book, encourages creativity and discovery.
Bruce Karstadt,  ASI President/CEO, commented, “As we enter 2017 in a world of changing political and social conditions, I wish to reaffirm the vision that inspires the American Swedish Institute today and historically, which is to be a gathering place for all people to connect their pasts to a shared future and to understand their heritage in relationship to others. The founders of our museum came to this country as Swedish immigrants.  Nearly every person I know has an immigrant story as part of their family narrative. Through exhibitions and programs linked to our 2017 theme of Migration, Identity and Belonging, we provide a place for conversations and dialogue which fuse our past with today”'s local and global context.”
First Look: Migration, Identity and Belonging
Friday, Jan. 20, 7 ”“ 10 p.m.
Get a “First Look” at the new ASI exhibitions that explore ASI”'s 2017 theme of Migration, Identity and Belonging, aiding in ASI”'s aspiration to build bridges across cultures, create empathy and understanding. The First Look preview evening is a chance to explore what”'s on display through guided tours, book signings and a special panel discussion about ”˜undertold stories,”' moderated by PBS”'s Fred de Sam Lazaro. Panelists include authors Ola Larsmo and Kau Kalia Yang, Tea Rozman-Clark from Green Card Voices and Larry Yungk from UNHCR.
Curated cocktails and appetizers by the award-winning FIKA Café are available for purchase.
$15 ASI members / $20 non-members. The ASI is located at 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis. For more details, visit ASImn.org or call 612-871-4907.
