The iconic Hjemmkomst Center in Moorhead keeps up a fascinating schedule of historical and cultural exhibits. I try to get in there a few times a year to check them out – and, I admit, I always sneak a peek at the Viking Ship. There is a show up now, closing this Sunday, that is colorful, beautiful , uplifting and heart wrenching all at the same time. It is called Forced to Flee and each piece in it is based on a story or experience of a refugee or refugees. They are not paintings or photos – they are quilts, but they are art quilts.
Now, Fargo Moorhead is a hotbed of quilting so maybe you’ve run into art quilts – but if not, they are generally not rectangular and have no interest in being slept under. They are pictures, or artwork made of fabric, with all the color and texture that you can imagine. Fuzzy, shiny, thick, sheer, bright and faded. If you want to get a taste, go to the website of the Historical and Cultural Society Center of Clay County – or just type “forced to flee moorhead” into the search. The videos are nice, but no match for seeing
them in person. This is an impressive international exhibit, why is it here?
(To learn more, listen)
This discussion is a project of FM Arts, a radio series of profiles, performances, and discussions with artists in the Fargo-Moorhead area funded by The Arts Partnership with support from the Cities of Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo.
