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Jan Elftmann

Jan ElftmannJan ElftmannJan Elftmann

Yellow Dog

I like to incorporate art into my everyday life to see how people respond. I want my work to incite conversations between people, to transcend the boundaries we invent so that we don’t have to converse.


I believe in having a strong commitment to and involvement in the local art community in Minneapolis and St. Paul as well as on a national and international level.

Blue T-Rex

A major part of my process is collecting the components. I love the treasure hunt aspect of looking and gathering. People collaborate in my work from the outset. The audience also collaborates with the process by independently deciding to help me collect more of the objects they see in my work.


They drop them off on my doorstep, put them in the back of my truck, mail them to me across the country or hand them off to me in person. What this means for my work is that my audience not only completes or continues a piece, but often initiates and determines its interdisciplinary qualities.


I am honored the Minnesota Museum of American Art has acquired the Blue Dino for their permanent collection.

The incorporation of art in unexpected places breaks down the crucial boundary of “art being where you expect it to be” by bringing art to people.

White Horse

I have hung my art in the windows of an abandoned McDonald's.  I've installed my work in a local movie theater. I’ve encouraged people to bowl my art in a museum.

Purple Rooster

Every day for 14 years I drove a small pickup truck that I adorned, fender-to-fender, with more than 10,000 corks.  The Cork Truck was a daily reminder for me of the value of art in my own life. I am currently working on the Holey Circle ArtCar, a car encrusted with circle inspired objects.

Green Dog

Pink Dog

Installation at the Uptown Theater
Minneapolis, MN

Blue Room

Tube Art

Tube Art Arch

Safety Pin Curtain

A close-up of the Safety Pin Curtain

A close-up of the Safety Pin Curtain

Bowling at the Cork Bowling Alley

Cork Bowling Alley at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in the Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program Gallery in 1998

Bowling at the Cork Bowling Alley

Cork Bowling Pin

Cork Bowling Alley at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in the Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program Gallery in 1998

Bowling at the Cork Bowling Alley

Cork Bowling Alley at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in the Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program Gallery in 1998

Cork Bowling Alley at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in the Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program Gallery in 1998

Cork Bowling Alley at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in the Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program Gallery in 1998

Cork Bowling Ball

CB Queen

Light For Marc

Light For Marc

Light For Marc

Light For Marc

Light For Marc

Bingo

Light For Marc

Bingo

Heart Rock

125 To Float

Cause And Effect Collaboration with David Pitman Science Museum of Minnesota Forecast Public Art Grant 1999

Listen to my interview on offbeat america

Click play!

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