Huge Congratulations to our long time friend, Bryan Thao Worra and all who contributed to the historic Laomerica 50 exhibit running now until September 27th at the Minneapolis Central Library!
This powerful exhibit brings together art, photography, literature and history to explore how we use our voices in a democracy. Over the past five years, the exhibit organizers gathered archival photographs, visual art, short films, textiles, rare books, and cultural objects. These items reflect the Lao community’s memories, traditions, dreams, and visions not only in Minnesota but globally. Laos, often described as a peaceful Eden, has a history marked by turmoil and invasions. The Lao arts traditionally celebrate harmony, nature, truth, wisdom, and compassion, while rejecting violence—a challenging goal, but a legacy many still reach for even as far away as America.
The show is located on the 2nd floor of the 1,600 foot Cargill Gallery, at 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN. It is open on most days starting at 9AM until 8PM (M-T) and 5PM (F-Su). This exhibit is free to the public and is suitable for families of all ages. Laomerica 50: Democracy and Diaspora coincides with Lao American Artist Heritage Month. It is also a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Lao Center of Minnesota, the 30th anniversary of the Paj Ntaub Voice Hmoob Literary Journal, 20 years of Legacies of War and 10 years of Sahtu Press, the first Lao American publishing company.
Among the items on display reflecting the work of Legacies of War are utensils made from unexploded cluster bombs, the replicas of cluster bombs, images from collaborations with the Lao Student Association of Minnesota, as well as the 2010 Legacies of War: Refugee Nation Twin Cities exhibit with Pangea World Theater, Theater TeAda, Intermedia Arts and Lao Center of Minnesota. A book of reproductions of the original illustrations made by villagers in Laos depicting the bombings is also on display, as well as a newspaper where the bombing of Laos made front page news. You can also see a thip khao sticky rice holder shaped like a cluster bomb that was created for the first meeting of state parties during the ratification of the UN Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Shout-out to all Lao-American artists who generously contributed original artworks to this exhibit: Nor Sanavongsay, Malichansouk Kouanchao, Bounxou Daoheuang, Ladda Insixiengmay, Bay Koulabdara, Oura Sananikone, Tou Her, Sisavanh Phouthavong, Vongduane Manivong, Tony Innouvong, Loy Khambay-Correa, Kinnary Pimpadubsee, Chantala Kommanivanh, Timothy Singratsomboune, and Krysada Panusith Phounsiri
Photo & Video Credits: Huge kop jai lai lai to our Rockstar Advocacy Ambassador , Lam Vong Circle Member, Volunteer Photographer and most importantly, dear friend S. Bay Koulabdara
Read more about Laomerica 50 here: https://lnkd.in/ghvtSDqC