‘What does it mean to be Danish?’ — Photographs explore multi-cultural identities at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle

The Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle, Washington presents “Diana Velasco: Dual Exposures” from April 4 to June 28, 2015 – 

Diana Velasco is an artist from Denmark whose photographs focus on the subjects of identity, personal history, and relationships. Velasco’s father is Spanish and her mother is Danish. Velasco identifies as half-Spanish and half-Danish, and her sense of dual identity has a major influence on her work. A student of anthropology and communication, Velasco has exhibited her photography in Denmark and internationally.

This exhibition, organized by the Danish Immigration Museum, in Farum, Denmark, focuses on Danish residents of intercultural heritage. Far less common in Denmark than the United States, this topic is particularly timely, as Danish citizenship policies are currently undergoing a fundamental change.  While traditionally dual citizenship has not been possible in Denmark—forcing people with a parent of a non-Danish nationality to choose between two identities—the Danish parliament recently voted to approve dual citizenship.  The law change is expected to take effect in 2015.

The exhibition will be centered on two series of photographs by Diana Velasco. The “Portraits” series highlights people who have a Danish parent and a non-Danish parent.  The subjects are presented twice in each photograph to illustrate the two cultural and national backgrounds they carry.

The “Family Album” series contains snapshots from the photographer’s family albums, where she has manipulated and mixed pictures of her parents and herself.  Through the pictures, she imagines what her life would have been like had she grown up in Spain instead of Denmark. This conversation fits well with the question the Museum poses, “What does it mean to be Danish?” and the larger context of being Nordic.

“One of the central inquires of the Nordic Heritage Museum is, ‘What does it mean to be Nordic?’ Velasco’s work explores what it means to be Danish in way that relates directly to the Museum’s exploration of Nordic identities,” said Nordic Heritage Museum CEO, Eric Nelson. “This exhibition is especially relevant in Seattle today, when many immigrants and children of immigrants from all over the world are defining their heritage in unique and diverse way.”

Related Programming: Craft School: Research Your Family Workshop

Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 2:00 P.M.–4:00 P.M.

Researching family histories has never been easier! Join Carol Buswell, education specialist at the National Archives at Seattle, for a hands-on genealogy workshop. You’ll learn about resources that will allow you to trace your family history, using records from the United States and Scandinavia. You’ll leave with handouts, tips, and everything you need to know to get started on your own family’s historical record.

Cost: $18 for Members; $22 General Admission

Register for the workshop at http://family-research-workshop.eventbrite.com

Sponsors for “Diana Velasco: Dual Exposures” include Artsfund, 4Culture, the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, and the Scan│Design Foundation.

About the Nordic Heritage Museum: With over 65,000 visitors annually, the Nordic Heritage Museum is a cultural treasure in the Pacific Northwest. It is the only museum in the United States that represents the cultural heritage of all five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The Museum’s mission is to share Nordic culture with people of all ages and backgrounds by exhibiting art and objects, preserving collections, providing educational and cultural experiences and serving as a community gathering place. The Nordic Heritage Museum presents a wide range of vibrant programs including contemporary art exhibitions, outstanding concerts, lectures and films and a variety of special events throughout the year.

Museum hours: Tues-Sat 10 am to 4 pm; Sun 12 noon to 4 pm; Mon closed

Admission: $8 general; $7 seniors & college students; $6 children over 5 years; FREE for children 5 and under and Museum members; free on first Thursdays

The Museum is located at 3014 NW 67th Street, Seattle, WA 98117. Visit www.nordicmuseum.org

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