EAST 08

When: 02/10/2008 - 31/12/2008

A world-class celebration of contemporary Asian culture in the North East

Download the official EAST’08 guide (1.5mb)

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In the year that China hosts the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the North East will host a number of events ‘looking east’. As global markets and power shift eastwards, and as London prepares to receive the Olympic torch from Beijing, these events are designed to make connections with Chinese, Japanese and South Asian cultures and countries, and receive inspiration, ideas and co-operation from them. EAST’08 is set to bring the finest art, dance, music and spectacle all the way from the east to the North East.


Sat 14 June – Sun 26 October
FREE
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
www.balticmill.com

YOSHITOMO NARA + graf
A magical new exhibition by internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara, in collaboration with design unit graf. The exhibition will feature a village brought to life with Nara’s iconic characters, turning ordinary life into art.


Fri 15 August – Mon 15 September
Grey’s Monument
www.hotelmonument.org.uk

HOTEL MONUMENT
Commissioned by Locus+

Hotel Monument by artist Tatzu Oozu proposed to be in place around Grey’s Monument in Newcastle this summer is to be delayed.  Click here for more information.


Sat 13 September
FREE
Northern Stage
www.northernstage.co.uk

CHANGING CITIES – WANG QINGSONG
Award-winning Chinese artist Wang Qingsong collaborates with Northern Stage to create an exciting and innovative one-off installation. Stage 1 will temporarily become a giant photographic studio housing a team of over 300 local participants.  This new work will explore the notion of pain and healing and of theatre as a cathartic experience.

Don’t miss the unique chance to see one of the artist’s theatrical, grand scale installations come to life, as the process is transmitted live on to screens throughout Northern Stage. The finished photographs will form a spectacular exhibition in the theatre later in September.


Mon 6 - Sun 12 October
Some events are FREE
Across NewcastleGateshead
www.samafestival.org

SAMA South Asian Festival
Building on the success of last year's inaugural South Asian Festival, SAMA returns to Newcastle and Gateshead in 2008 bringing with it the spirit and spice of South Asian music, arts and culture. There's an exciting programme of events and festivities, including this year, a major Indian literature strand as well as stunning performances by some of the finest musicians, DJs, artists and dancers from across the UK and South Asia. There'll also be workshops, exhibitions, a film and food festival and spectacular outdoor finale on Sun 12 October when Baltic Square will be transformed into a Meena Bazaar, with colourful stalls, thrilling street performances and amazing activities for the whole family to enjoy.


Thurs 6 – Sat 8 November
FREE
Durham City Centre
www.enlightenment.co.uk

Enlightenment – Durham International Light Festival
Enlightenment is a stunning and truly international light festival celebrating Durham’s religious and industrial heritage.

Four new light-based artworks will be exhibited on the city’s bridges in the shadow of the Castle and Cathedral, showing Durham as viewed through the eyes of two very different cultures. The installations have been created by two Indian and two UK-based artists and are a fusion of cultural identities, creative styles and methods of working. The individual pieces take their inspiration from the sacred texts, iconic images and traditions of Durham and several Eastern societies. The major pieces are supported by Intermittent, a trail of smaller light installations, projections, film works and light boxes exhibited in shop windows across the city.