A 2015 exhibition at Stevenson University seeking sense after the death of a daughter.
“Having served as the Director of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore for nearly 20 years (1994 to 2013), and having served as a curator at the institution before that, I have seen many exhibitions of all kinds, including contemporary ones addressing a host of cultural and communal issues. No small show that I have ever come across excels at achievement on both social and aesthetic measures as much as Elisif’s Story. Spending time with this exhibition when it was shown at Stevenson University in 2015 is something I will not soon forget.”
—Gary Vikan, former Director, Walters Art Museum
ARTWORK
On February 11, 2014, the day his daughter died of an accidental overdose, Peter knew what drawings he needed to make: 24 works on paper, each 24”x24”, turbulent yellow lines against red ground, collectively representing his daughter’s 24 years of life in all its brilliance and turmoil. That, and a 25th drawing (a black circle in gouache, calm and still on the drawing’s pastel ground) make up the drawings that eventually became the visual focal point of the installation, Elisif’s Story. (see all 25 drawings here.)
EXHIBITION
The exhibition Elisif’s Story took place October 15 to December 15, 2015, at the Stevenson University art gallery in Stevenson, Maryland. Having spent months recording interviews with friends, teachers, family members, and healing professionals who knew Elisif, Peter created a 35-minute audio track composed primarily of a collage of 24 voices from the interviews – recollections and reflections conveying a portrait not only of a life lived and lost, but also the bewilderment of those left behind, trying to make sense of it all. With each new voice, an additional light goes on, illuminating one of 24 unframed drawings until all are lit. As the last voice speaks, the lights fall and music begins. On the opposite wall a final spotlight goes on, illuminating the 25th (and only framed) drawing, representing Elisif’s 25th year: black-lined and at rest. The lights then fall again, and in the dark viewers hear the final audio element: Elisif’s recorded voice declaring she’s “not here right now, so please leave a message.” The 35-minute cycle then repeats.
View the video documentation of the exhibition experience.
View the video version of Elisif’s Story, illustrated with photos of Elisif and her art.
“Descriptions or documentation pale next to the bodily experience of immersion in this extraordinary, informative, and heart-rending exhibition as Bruun presents it: a darkened room with dim lights coming on one at a time as new voices enter the narrative, joining the collage of voices filling the gallery with sound seemingly inside your own head – whispering – cumulatively relating the arc of the tale of a young woman whose life is lost to addiction at the tender age of 24.”
—Exhibition Visitor
EVENTS
An anchor exhibition of the New Day Campaign, an initiative founded by Peter to challenge stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and substance use, Elisif’s Story included 5 events: Forum: Open Hearts & Active Minds about bringing more healing services to college settings; Quad Stories: Getting to Good, a story-sharing experience of college life experiences; the premiere of the film Written Off: The Short Sad Beautiful Life of Matt Edwards; Mental Illness, Addiction and Choice: an Exploration, featuring writer Leslie Jamison and others; and an Opening Reception & New Day Campaign Dedication.
Watch the dedication of the New Day Campaign that took place at the opening reception of Elisif’s Story.
INTERESTED IN CONNECTING?
Do you have ideas, thoughts, or questions you’d like to share with Peter? Do you want to introduce yourself and your work to him? Perhaps explore a collaboration or involvement in one of his projects? Then Peter wants to hear from you.
