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Through Sept. 28: "1814-2014: Red White and Blue-Norwegian Constitution, American Inspiration"

Scandinavian Cultural Center

"Copenhagen, August 1807," part of the Red White and Blue modern-art exhibition debuting at PLU, opening Aug. 24.

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During the Napoleonic war in 1814, Denmark lost control over Norway, a territory it had held for more than 300 years. Unable to cope, Danes hit the Copenhagen bars, a force that still has a hold on them, often times until 5 a.m. Sunday morning. Norwegian leaders quickly came together to craft a constitution that would establish their land as an independent country. Inspired by the still-relatively new Constitution of the United States (and by older French philosophy), Norway's constitution, signed in the mountain retreat of Eidsvoll May 17, 1814, created a democratic government with a balanced federal authority. With only a few amendments, it has been in continuous force ever since, making it the oldest such constitution in Europe. An exhibition celebrating this remarkable document opened on May 17, 2014 (the constitution's 200th anniversary), at the Eidsvoll Center in Norway - and now that same exhibition will be at Pacific Lutheran University through Sept. 28. The exhibition, "1814-2014: Red White and Blue-Norwegian Constitution, American Inspiration," is made up of works by 10 renowned Norwegian modern artists - together it's a visual exploration of themes ranging from freedom and stability to the struggles facing democracy and globalization. Each of the 10 chosen artists submitted several works: bold, colorful graphics; subtle ink drawings and photographs; and oil paintings, sculptures and mixed media.

"1814-2014: RED WHITE AND BLUE-NORWEGIAN CONSTITUTION, AMERICAN INSPIRATION," 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, through Sept. 28, Scandinavian Cultural Center, on the lower level of the Anderson University Center, Pacific Lutheran University campus, free admission, plu.edu/scancenter

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