Works by the Norwegian-British artist to make North American Debut at American Swedish Institute
in Honor of 200th Anniversary of Syttende Mai

MINNEAPOLIS- To mark the 200th anniversary of _SYTTENDE MAI_ (May 17, Norways Constitution Day), ASI is partnering with the Royal Norwegian Honorary Consulate to premiere the work of contemporary artist Ian Ward Garlant [http://ianwardgarlant.com/index.php/about] in North America. Garlants sculptural reliefs celebrate and illustrate the principles that the peaceful separation of Norway and Sweden embodies a monument to love, mutual acceptance and compassion. Love Norway X opens at the American Swedish Institute on May 10, 2014 and runs through October 19, 2014.

Born in 1962 to an English father and Norwegian mother, Garlant left an illustrious career in Londons top fashion houses, including Aquascutum and Hardy Amies, to dedicate his life to making art full time on Norways Hardanger fjord. Working with and within the landscape, Garlants creative process involves burning, bathing and scraping pre- used wood, asphalt and sand of the fjord to create new sculptural interpretations of ancient earthly monuments. His work has been embraced and co-created with community members from Hatlestrand, Norway, a small village on the edge of the Hardanger fjord. Together with local craftsmen, Garlant has found new ways to use readily available materials, some traditional and others high tech. Utilizing an array of quotations, words, symbols and patterns, culled from both the ancient and the modern, the pieces reflects mankind's continued hopes and wishes to create the best of all possible worlds a testament to love.

Presented in the historic Turnblad Mansion Galleries, _Love Norway X_ is comprised of two sculptural reliefs: The Construction of Love, based on the Norwegian National Flag, measuring 14 by 11.5 and composed of 47 wooden box frames, each carrying a single symbol, attached to a freestanding baffled wall. The second, Virgil's Column / A Golden Ideal, is a contemporary version of a freestanding runestone or _dolman_.

Ian Ward Garlant, The Construction of Love, 2013 Photo: Gunne Bente Stølen

LOVE

Interestingly, whilst in modern Western culture it has become common practice to finish personal correspondence with the word 'love ', in Norwegian it remains difficult to use that single word without issuing a more serious imperative - 'to love' . Thus the phrase ' Love Norway ' contains an instruction to do so, an entirely appropriate attitude for those whose task was the construction of the country's constitution.

I aim to avoid the sentimental, once size fits all, ego based love found in our current consumer culture and emphasize instead the much older and more collective qualities of compassion, mutual acceptance and spiritual love, says Garlant.

X

X is a letter that is simultaneously the ancient runic symbol for gift, a contemporary symbol for a kiss and the traditional way in which any person anywhere is able to make a choice, cast a vote or even sign their name. While _Love Norway X_ celebrates the foundation of the Norwegian constitution and demonstrates the skill and ingenuity of Norwegians, it is borderless and timeless.

Garlants work in Love Norway X speaks to the universal human experience, that no matter where or when we have been living, we have all been searching for the same thing, we are all woven from the same thread. There is something innately comforting in harnessing the design and creativity of the past in an entirely new way, said Scott Pollock, ASIs Director of Exhibits, Collections and Programs.

ANCIENT INSPIRATION FOR A MODERN AGE

Stylistic choices for Garlants work borrow from Viking runes found in Norway, kufic text from Arabia, horyig seal script from Tibet, and iching hexagrams from China. These methods of writing have crossed over at various points in time: runic graffiti is to be found in the Church of Hagai Sophia in Constantinople, kufic text is to be found on silver coins in Viking graves and oriental seals and symbols are distributed all along the trades routes used by Vikings, Arabs and Mongol tribes alike, connecting Northern Europe to the Far East. Garlant combines these together to form a 'tapestry' illustrating a common message that transcends language.

To illustrate the historical connections Garlant draws from, select pieces from ASIs own collection including a 5th century Viking drinking vessel (one of only two known to exist in the Western hemisphere) and the collection of the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum of Decorah, Iowa are presented in the exhibit.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Love Norway X is produced by the American Swedish Institute with support from the Royal Norwegian Honorary Consulate and in partnership with Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.
Love Norway X is presented with the generous support of the Anne Ray Charitable Trust and the American Scandinavian Foundation.

KEY EVENTS

COCKTAILS AT THE CASTLE: SWEDISH HOUSE PARTY
FRIDAY, MAY 9 7 P.M.-11 P.M.

ASIs popular Cocktails at the Castle series returns May 9 in conjunction with the opening of Love Norway X. Meet visiting artist Ian Ward Garlant whose modern interpretations of runestones make their North American debut at ASI. Make DIY paper art with Minnesota Center for Book Arts, live local music by Still Pacific and enjoy a Euro themed dance party, spring food and cocktails by FIKA and more. Tickets: $15. 21+. For more information, visit ASImn.org

LOVE AND ART LECTURE BY IAN WARD GARLANT
SATURDAY, MAY 10 2:30 P.M.

Garlant will present Love and Art, an exploration into mans imperative to illustrate record and communicate emotion.
Included with museum admission. Free for ASI members. Reservations recommended call (612) 871 -4907

MIDSOMMARS EVE
FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 5 9 P.M.

Celebrate summer and _Love Norway X_ with extended Friday night hours. Included with museum Admission. $9 adults, $7 ages 6-18, free for ASI members and kids under 5.

MIDSOMMAR CELEBRATION
SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 10 A.M. 5 P.M.

Explore _Love Norway X _at ASIs largest summer family festival featuring the raising of the Midsommar pole, traditional dancing, music and summertime treats by FIKA. Tickets: $10 adults, $5 ages 618, free for kids under 5, and ASI members.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE: The American Swedish Institute (ASI) is a vibrant arts and cultural organization, museum, and historic home located at 2600 Park Avenue near downtown Minneapolis. ASI serves as a gathering place for people to share stories and experiences around universal themes of tradition, migration, craft and the arts, all informed by enduring ties to Sweden. In 2013, the Wall Street Journal called ASI [a] model of how a small institution can draw visitors through exciting programming.

ASI Museum Hours: Tues, Thurs, Fri: noon-5 p.m.; Wed noon-8p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-5p.m.; Sun. noon0-5p.m., closed Mon. Museum Admission: $9 adults, $7 ages 62 +, $5 ages 6-18 and full-time students with ID. Free for ASI members and kids ages 5 and under. www.ASImn.org [http://www.ASImn.org].