New book 'exformation' explores Japanese-Dutch encounters

In the new book exformation, Dutch artists, Hannie van den Bergh and Jan van den Berg offer us a colourful, polyphonic collection of photos and stories representing their trips to Japan and their encounters with the Japanese people. While in Japan during the years between 2004 and 2020, they created a variety of artworks relating in one way or another to ‘imaging’: the ideas, impressions and mental images people form of themselves and others – in this case, as a result of their ‘intercultural dialogue’, the Dutch and the Japanese. But exformation is essentially the record of a series of encounters between artists from the opposite ends of the Earth. From our clumsy attempts at relating to one another to building castles in the sky with each other during the mutual enjoyment of a glass of good sake. And of course, to working together on the ensuing artworks.

 The project Edo Sanpu 2020 was supported by the Shared Cultural Heritage Programme of DutchCulture. The book is available in three languages – Japanese, Dutch and English – you can order it here.

Check out the complete overview of Dutch cultural activities in Japan in our database. If you are a cultural professional who wants to cooperate with China, feel free to contact our Japan advisor Ian Yang.