Ansten Press

Norwegian artist Hanne Friis is known for her monumental textile sculptures, carefully crafted by hand with a distinctive stitching technique. With a small needle Friis transforms the material by folding and pressing the fabric into organic formations and complex structures that generate a sense of change and growth.

SIRKULASJON (Circulation) reflects our society’s dilemmas with regard to overuse and depletion of our natural resources. At the same time, the artist draws connections to perpetual themes of human existence – not least our connections to nature, and the ephemerality of life.

The book has been covered with bronze-coloured, metallic cloth, with the title embossed. A heavy paper with a silk finish has been used throughout. In the art of Hanne Friis, the masculine and the feminine are combined, and the design and choice of materials for the book are intended to reflect that duality – both its monumental effect in space, and its tactile expression.

Texts by Hanne Friis, art historian Jorunn Veiteberg and curator Guri Skuggen. Edited and designed by Nina Ansten. Installation photography by Øystein Thorvaldsen. Published by Ansten Press.

The book is bilingual in English/Norwegian.

Format: 112 pages, hardback with book cloth, 210 x 260 mm.

Printed and bound in Norway.

Published through the support of Arts Council Norway, Fritt Ord Foundation, Ingrid Lindbäck Langaard’s Trust and Billedkunstnernes Vederlagsfond.

The book ‘NIGHT EYES’ gives unique insight into the project ‘Diary Notes’ by the Norwegian artist Trude Viken. 259 oil paintings are collected into one artwork named ‘Night Eyes’, (2014–2020). With her powerful brush strokes and colour combinations, both earthly and unnatural, Viken has depicted a huge variety of mental states – a veritable catalogue of facial expressions.

Texts by Audrey Wollen, Fabiola Alondra and Jane Harmon, Fortnight Institute, NYC.

Edited and designed by Nina Ansten.

Published by Ansten Press in collaboration with Vestfossen Kunstlaboratorium.

Format: 112 pages + 8-pages fold-out, soft cover, 213 x 240 mm.

Printed and bound in Norway.

The book is bilingual in English/Norwegian.

A series of illustrated short stories by Cecilie M. Barstad. From the balcony of her home, Barstad spent weeks and months observing, studying, and drawing her neighbours in lockdown during the pandemic. In her colourful images and pithy narratives, the reader enters the back courtyard in Highbury with all its smells, conversations, noise and silence, morning light and night-time shadows. The narratives are heartfelt, insightful, humorous, and populated with endearing characters.

Author Benedicte Meyer Kroneberg has penned a personal essay reflecting on Barstad’s artworks, intertwining her own dramatic experiences from early in the pandemic.

The book also features an interview by anthropologist and cultural critic Sondre Sommerfelt, in which he engages in a discussion with Barstad about the development of 'Rear Window.'

160 vibrant pages that include illustrations, poetic writings, an essay and an interview.

This limited and numbered edition of 700 copies, showcases four unique covers. By utilizing leftover materials from earlier productions, we effectively reduced waste while producing four exclusive sets of book covers. The size of the book is determined by the dimensions of the paper and the number of folds, leading to minimal waste.

The selection of colours for the book spine includes dark green, purple, orange/red and bright green. Only a few copies in orange/red remain, which will be offered at the upcoming book fair.

The book is bilingual in English/Norwegian.

Format: 160 pages, hardback with book cloth, 175 x 245 mm.

Printed and bound in Norway.