I have given variations of a lecture, “From Virgins to Spaceships: A Visual Voyage through Norwegian Tapestry,” several times. It’s about time my mother heard it, right? She has been suggesting I come to Arizona to speak to her Sons of Norway lodge for several years. If you are free on January 15, and are in the vicinity of Mesa, Arizona, you are welcome, too. Here are the details:
From Virgins to Spaceships: A Visual Voyage through Norwegian Tapestry
Saturday, January 18, 11:00 am (Note: The time is approximate; the lecture will follow a short business meeting for the lodge.)Otto Fjell Sons of Norway 6-1531844 E. Dana Ave Mesa, Arizona 85204
Medieval Norwegian billedvev (literally picture-weaving) focused largely on religious images, including the Three Wise Men, The Feast of Herod, and the most-woven image, the Wise and Foolish Virgins. When medieval tapestry techniques were revived during the National Romantic period, Gerhard Munthe’s folk tale motifs caught the Norwegian imagination. In the 20th century and up to today, it’s possible to trace the thread of medieval traditions in the work of contemporary artists, in the materials, techniques, and images they choose. Sit back to view inventive and surprising tapestries from 1180 to today.
If you would like to attend, contact Carol Meshefski. Phone: (480) 218-7270, text: (480) 202-6773, email: cdmeshefski@msn.com. Lunch is served following the lecture. If you would like to purchase a lunch ticket, RSVP by 3 pm on Wednesday, January 15.
Bio: Robbie LaFleur is a handweaver of contemporary textiles. She has followed a thread of Scandinavian weaving since she studied weaving at Valdres Husflidsskole in Fagernes, Norway in 1977, continuing her study with Scandinavian instructors at workshops in Norway and the U.S. Recent projects include interpreting Edvard Munch’s “Scream” painting into a variety of textile techniques, weaving tapestry portraits of her relatives, and weaving a series of contemporary wall hangings based on danskbrogd, a technique from the area of Kristiansand, Norway. In 2019 she traveled to Stavanger, Norway, to study the transparency technique of Frida Hansen, supported by a grant from the American Scandinavian Foundation. She was awarded the Gold Medal in Weaving from the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in 2006. Robbie teaches Norwegian tapestry techniques in three-day workshops, coordinates the Weavers Guild of Minnesota Scandinavian Weavers Study Group, and is the editor and publisher of the quarterly Norwegian Textile Letter (norwegiantextileletter.com)
Dear Robbi, Thank you so much for your many articles, weaving samples and sharing your talents. I found about you via Rebecca Metzoff (you took one of her classes which I was interested in taking) I googled you – resulting in my entire day (Jan. 6, 2020 Feast of the Three Wise Men (the Epiphany) totally engaged with every link and article in US and from your travels. I have always been drawn to Norwegian needle patterns etc. and weaving I am not a weaver but want to learn and will start with on line classes via Rebecca Metzoff – shortly. But, the most amazing thing I encountered today was (Milky Way), one of Frida Hansen’s tapestries and Pauline Fjelde’s “Hiawatha” tapestry absolutely magnificent. Thank you for this information and this most enjoyable and enriching day. I am 81 – just stopped working and will have more time to learn weaving and tapestry weaving . Happy New Year and Good Health!
Nancy Martin
Thank you, Nancy. Perhaps you need to visit “The Milky Way” in person; it’s owned by the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe in Hamburg, Germany. https://sammlungonline.mkg-hamburg.de/en/object/Wandteppich-%22Melkeveien%22-Die-Milchstraße/1900.431/dc00014681?s=frida+Hansen&h=0 It is worth seeing in person. I was lucky enough to see it on view in Norway some years ago. When “Hiawatha” is finally put on view by the Minnesota Historical Society, all my blog readers will know!