Celebrating Equality and Crafts at House of Sweden

The Embassy of Sweden kicked off this year’s celebration of 10 years at the House of Sweden — along the Georgetown waterfront — with an exhibition on gender equality, in time for International Women’s Day, and an art show on Swedish crafts.

“Sweden’s achievements in gender equality are hailed as inspiring examples,” according to the House of Sweden. “Regardless of whether they were made possible by tradition, culture or legislation, steps have been taken to ensure that women and men have equal opportunities and equal power to shape society and their own lives. This exhibition aims to inspire and reflect as well as discuss the changes which have been made and to initiate the changes still needed to reach gender equality in your part of the world. . . . Sweden has one of the world´s highest representations of women in parliament.”

The second exhibit is “Next Level Craft,” which the embassy reports, “is not your typical handicraft exhibition — it has its own soundtrack and music video. The renowned young Swedish artist Aia Jüdes has created a playful and different tale of craft, mixing voguing (a modern dance style characterized by perfect, stylized hand and arm movements, acrobatic poses and flamboyant fashion), street art, high fashion, pop culture and electronic music with everything from wool embroidery, weaving and felting to root binding, wood turning and birch bark braiding.”

The show presents works by more than 40 crafters, artists and designers from all over Sweden — and is “based on the craft traditions and rich nature of Sweden.” It runs through April 24.

The exhibit, “Gender Equality,” runs until December.