Favorite Object: American Swedish Historical Museum

Picture from http://www.americanswedish.org

Chicago Room Mural

1937

Wood

Ewald Dahlskog

The Chicago Room at the American Swedish Historical Museum (ASHM) features Swedish builders and Architects who have made contributions to American History. The focal point of the room is the large wood inlay mural that takes up the entire wall. The mural is made of 103 different types of wood. It depicts builders and carpenters at work creating notable works from Swedish contributors to America. From left to right it shows a log structure along the Delaware River Valley, The Chicago Skyline, and Holy Trinity Church. I have not seen wood used in this way before and found the mural to be very eye-catching and impressive. It was a really stunning way to show the Art Deco style of the 1930's, and the industrial movement in Chicago. During my first visit to the museum, it was my favorite piece I saw and told other people about that day. While I have been doing my assistantship at the ASHM I have become familiar with many other objects and have not had a chance to spend time upstairs and become familiar with this object.
The piece took over five years to complete and was dedicated to the museum on June 25, 1937.
The piece is the main focal point of the Chicago room. The rest of the room is devoted to work of Swedish Architects and builders and the museums hand-made Swedish Silver. The smaller display cases in the room allows the mural to really stand out in the room. The smaller pieces provide more insight on Swedish Architecture and contribute to the mural.
Not having a background in history, Swedish culture, or architecture, I have very little understanding and background information about this object. More knowledge on Swedish contributions to American design would enhance my knowledge of this piece and more knowledge about building and architecture would also provide a better background.
People who would not be interested in this object would be those with little interest in Art Deco style pieces, and woodwork. Opposing views would find that this piece does not symbolize enough what Swedish builders and architects have contributed to society. Experiences to engage viewers with this piece would be displays showing how the piece was made and what types of wood were used to make it since I am fascinated with how this medium was used and how the mural was made.