Papier | Bea Szenfeld & Stina Wirsén

Papier, in a juncture between art and fashion, is an international touring exhibition showcasing artist-designer Bea Szenfeld’s striking paper couture — dresses and other sculptural fashion items made entirely from paper and worn by such pop icons as Lady Gaga and Björk  — united with artist-author Stina Wirsén’s evocative and colorful illustrations. Papier makes its Midwest debut, at one of only two sites in the U.S.,  February 6 – July 11, 2021, at the American Swedish Institute (ASI) in the Turnblad Mansion and Osher Gallery.  In this remarkable, creative partnership, two prestigious Swedish talents meet in a mutual affection for the handmade and paper. 

About Bea Szenfeld, born 1972 in Poland, lives and works in Stockholm. Using paper, scissors, tape, staples, needle and thread, Szenfeld creates pieces that are both bold and delicate. Her paper couture garments have been worn by such superstars as Lady Gaga and Björk and can be found in art galleries and fashion magazines as well as on Nobel Prize guests, artists and politicians. Some pieces are origami folds, others consist of thousands of individual pieces. The craftsmanship, together with her daring design language, creates works that point backwards and forward in time. Szenfeld is also the designer behind IKEA’s 2018 Winter Collection

About Stina Wirsén, born 1968 in Sweden, lives and works in Stockholm. She is one Sweden’s best-known illustrators and her visual world is simple in its elegance while expressive. Wirsén’s work spans fields including fashion, commercial advertising, illustrations for the daily press, magazines and public art. She is acclaimed for writing international children's books which have also been turned into movies and videos and theatre works. Wirsén was the in-house illustrator for Dagens Nyheter from 1990–2010. She is also a playwright and a set/costume designer for the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm. In addition, she has been granted awards including Expressen’s Heffaklump Award for children’s literature, the Elsa Beskow Plaque, Nordiska Tecknare’s Award and Svenska Tecknare’s Kolla! Award.

Learn more about the exhibition and related events and tours.

Visiting and Covid Safety
The ASI Museum, Museum Store and FIKA Café will all reopen on February 6 with reduced capacity, pending any further COVID-related precautions.  Revised hours are Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance, timed reservations are required to visit the museum and can be made starting January 22 at www.ASImn.org or by calling 612-871-4907 during public hours.  Visitors must use face coverings and maintain safe distances. The Store and FIKA will accept walk-in customers.  FIKA will also offer expanded Marketplace take-out orders. ASI has free on-site parking and is located at 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407.