A Talk by Northing: ‘Building Bridges with Books’

esea contemporary is pleased to present ‘Building Bridges with Books,’ an event featuring Northing, an organisation dedicated to fostering cultural exchange between Norway and East Asia. For Northing, books are more than vessels of knowledge—they are bridges that connect cultures and nations. Ben Wenhou Yu, Director of Northing, will share a series of publication projects that have evolved into dynamic cross-cultural initiatives.

The programme begins with a presentation, followed by a discussion on publications, and concludes with a Q&A session to encourage open dialogue. We will explore how Northing Space serves as a versatile venue for East-Asian artists and creatives, particularly through ‘Kinakaal’ (meaning 'Chinese cabbage'). Kinakaal fosters direct collaboration between East-Asian and Norwegian artists, exploring cultural dimensions across visual, independent, and academic spheres. It has won the Most Beautiful Norwegian Books of the Year award four times and has received multiple international design accolades. Additionally, ‘Elephanten,’ Bergen’s smallest bookshop, showcases art and design publications by East-Asian artists, building on its origins as the ‘Elephant in the Store’ pop-up that inaugurated Northing Space in 2019.

By hosting this event, we further locate these diasporic communities on Northing’s cultural map, exploring how exchanges can be cultivated between Europe and East Asia. Echoing the spirit of last year’s ‘Publishing Otherwise: A Slow Book Fair for Coexistence’ programme, this event delves into the power of publishing as a medium for cross-cultural dialogue and exchange.

Join us for an afternoon of insightful dialogue, publication displays, and meaningful connections, as we continue to celebrate the transformative role of books in bridging diverse communities.

About Northing

Northing—Centre for East Asian Art and Culture is the first and currently the only non-profit contemporary art centre dedicated to promoting cultural exchange between Norway and East Asia.

In Norway, Northing provides East-Asian artists living and working locally with opportunities to exhibit their work and reach a wider audience. Simultaneously, Northing facilitates direct communication and collaboration between Norwegian artists and their East-Asian counterparts. Through cross-disciplinary activities, including exhibitions, publications, and cultural events, Northing envisions East-Asian art and culture, enriching the diversity of cultural life in Bergen and across Norway.

Northing has three primary functions: the exhibition venue ‘Northing Space’, the art book publisher and design studio ‘Kinakaal’, and the compact art and design bookshop ‘Elephanten’.

Image Credits:

1. Photo courtesy of Northing.
2. Photo courtesy of Northing.
3. Photo courtesy of Northing.

About Ben Wenhou Yu

Ben Wenhou Yu (b. 1981) is a Norwegian-Chinese architect, literary translator, and curator. He is the founding director of Northing—Centre for East Asian Art and Culture in Norway. In addition to his native language, Mandarin Chinese, he is fluent in English, Norwegian, Japanese, and Italian. He is a member of the Norwegian Association of Curators and has been a board member of Norwegian Crafts since 2022.

Image Credits:

1. Photo courtesy of Ben Wenhou Yu.

About esea contemporary

esea contemporary is the UK’s only non-profit art centre specialising in presenting and platforming artists and art practices that identify with and are informed by East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) cultural backgrounds.

esea contemporary is situated in an award-winning building in the heart of Manchester, home to one of the largest East Asian populations in the UK. Since its inauguration as a community-oriented visual arts festival in 1986, esea contemporary has continuously evolved to establish itself as a dynamic and engaging space for cross-cultural exchanges in the British art scene, as well as in a global context.

esea contemporary aims to increase the visibility of contemporary art practices from the East and Southeast Asian communities and their diasporas. It is a site for forward-thinking art programmes that beyond exhibitions also include commissions, research, residencies, publishing, and a wide range of vibrant public events. esea contemporary values creativity, compassion, interconnectedness, and collectivity in implementing its mission.

Learn more at: www.eseacontemporary.org

Photo by Joe Smith.

Host or Publisher esea contemporary