In ‘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.
Trilingual: Dutch, Japanese, English
Text and color sections alternating, special folding
Dimensions 24 x 17 cm 260 pages, sewn binding, dust jacket
1st edition
ISBN: 9789082215380
© 2021 Studio HB / Hannie van den Bergh and Jan van den Berg
Book release date January 2021
Price, 34,50 euro (excluding postage)
Send an email to order the book: info@bergenvandalen.nl
Concept: Hannie van den Bergh en Jan van den Berg
Text: Jan van den Berg
Design: Hannie van den Bergh
Photography: Hannie van den Bergh
Additional photography: Roos Trommelen (cover, 25-26, 35-36, 49-50, 52, 58, 59-60, 73-74, 152, 178-179, 206-207), Hugh Davies (101-104, 109-110), Sander Snoep (157-160), Elvira Lantenhammer (235, 238-239)
Japanese translations: Karin Kuwahara
English translations: Dawn Mastin
Text correction: Marie Antoinette Sondeijker
Printing: RaddraaierSSP
Binding: Patist
Publisher: Studio HB
This book came about with financial support from the Shared Cultural Heritage programme of DutchCulture. With special thanks to Bas Valckx and Miho Nishimoto of the Netherlands Embassy in Tokyo and to the board of the Berg & Van Dalen Foundation: Renée Pompen, Nishiko en Maria van den Broek. 