MCAD MFA

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We Are Hmong Minnesota

March 13, 2015

Experience the journey the Hmong took from Southeast Asia to their new homeland in Minnesota four decades ago at the opening of the new History Center exhibit “We Are Hmong Minnesota,” on view March 7 to November 29. Celebrate the contributions of this vital and active community with music and dance performances, displays, fashion, games, demonstrations and multi-generational hands-on activities.

The exhibition involves two MFA alumni, Sieng Lee ’14 and Song Yer Thao ’11.

Hear more about Sieng’s involvement and artwork through his own words:

“I am a recent Jerome Fellowship recipient (2015) and exhibit designer for the We Are Hmong Minnesota exhibit at the Minnesota History Center. I led the visual development of the exhibit from graphic, curatorial, and production work.

My piece in the show is titled ‘Let Our Spirit Fly’. It is made up of spirit money, or joss paper, a common ritual paper used in many East Asian cultures. In the Hmong culture it is used to decorate alters and burned at funerals or New Years to ensure health, happiness, and wealth for the deceased. I created the piece to memorialize and respect those who were not able to make it to America after the Secret War in Laos. The sculptural piece symbolizes a gateway to a brighter future, and a remembrance of the memories, land, and people we loss.”

For more info, please go to:

http://www.minnesotahistorycenter.org/exhibits/we-are-hmong-minnesota/experience