A firm favourite of every onedotzero festival, j-star returned with another great line-up.
Introduced by Shane Walter, director of the festival he explained that the original idea of j-star was to present to a wider audience the contemporary animation and motion graphics that goes on in Japan. Until then it was very difficult to see any of this work in decent quality.
Also part of the introduction was Seiichi Hishikawa, who was presenting 2 pieces in this years programme. 2 totally different and contrasting pieces.
Who knows why the Japanese are so good at motion graphics? Who cares? Enjoy.
Seiichi Hishikawa: Thank You World
Japan
2011
Made as a “Thank You World” Message from Japan for the help received after the Earthquake. Originally made for the Sapporo Short Fest 2011.
YXBX: Christmas / Amazarashi
Japan
2011
A Studio Ghibli style animation about a girl creating a talisman to bring some good weather.
Yukihiro Shoda: Blind
Japan
2011
A very dark vision of a post nuclear world. A world where nuclear fallout readings become part of the daily weather forecast. I say again, DARK.
Mirai Mizue: Construction
Japan
2011
Non-narrative and rhythmical hand drawings. A new style of abstract Japanese work.
Yuto Nakamura + Ayahiko Sato [Rakudasan]: Tsuchinoko / Gaka
Japan
2011
A great little work featuring the talented Maimuima performance troupe. A bit of a Scott Pilgrim vibe.
Fantasista Utamaro: NET Station OP
Japan
2011
Opening movie blast for Japanese Subculture music channel NET.
Toshhiaki Hanzaki: The Smell of Flowers / Mr. Children
Japan
2011
Also in the audience was Toshhiaki here to see his work on the big screen. It conjured in a remote way the same sense as the Starchild from 2001: A Space Odyssey. A moving piece with great technique. Worth checking out if you can find it online (I couldn’t)
Makoto Yabuki: Senkyou / Mergrim
Japan
2011
A regualr contributor to j-star Makoto Yabuki was back. Geometric patterns with balletic motion. Similar in part to the live shows of Nosaj Thing.
Seiichi Hishikawa: Xylophone
Japan
2011
The second piece from Hishikawa – filmed for an advert for a Japanese mobile phone company, that makes phone from wood. If only artists could get this type of funding for non-commercial projects!
QNQ/AUJIK: Polygon Graffiti: An Uguisu Morph
Japan
2011
The hypotheses on the future of augmented realities and public space graffiti.
Tangefilms: Kira Kira / Azuma Hitomi
Japan
2011
Kaleidoscopic animation with character design by Daisuke Niimjima.
Takuya Hosogane: Assimilation
Japan
2011
Originally commissioned by a whisky brand – excellent work, excellent soundtrack.
YKBX: Anomie / Amazarashi
Japan
2011
An epic tale set in a bleak industrial landscape. Using old style grain effects to rough it up a bit.
Noriko Okaku: Electropia / Joyz
UK + Japan
2011
Without reading previously i wrote down ‘Western Influence’ for this one. A proud moment considering this is the only piece in the programme to be credited by both Japanese and UK creators. Colourful cutouts with both an old and a new feel.
joyz.biz
Shinya Sato: One Hundred Realities / Chateau Marmont
Japan
2011
A certain nod to MC Escher, not the typical Japanese style but all good none the less.
Yu Fujii: Kyu
Japan
2011
The assimilation of 3D mecha cells.
Yasuda Takahiro: Copy / Kaisoku Tokyo
Japan
2011
Modern day, copy and paste culture summed up in a lovely way.
Takashi Ohashi: Damn What Ringtone / HIFANA
Japan
2011
Set in an office with a desperate scramble to find the ringing phone.
Kousuke Sugimoto: The TV Show / Takayuiki Manabe
Japan
2011
Classy piece of work – zooming from one tv scene to another in a world obsessed by the small screen.
Shota Sakamoto: Henshin Gattai!
Japan
2011
Japanese through and through. Clearly influences from all the classic cartoons, Gundam and Battle of the Planets (Science Ninja Team Gatchaman in Japan) especially.
MORE INFO:
BFI
onedotzero festival
