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JAPANESE |
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- Introduction of the Judges - |
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Yoichiro Kawaguchi (CG Artist, Professor of University of Tokyo) | ||
| [Comment] This year, I focused on looking for figurative aspects in each entry. Generally speaking, the entries came in a wider range in themes than ever: From the botanical world to urbanism. Many of them brought about an atmosphere that had been ripened into full maturity. Also, there was a great tendency in use of sepia colors, which bothered me a bit. In a sense, I got the impression that the direction of these pieces of works had become more integrated. Yet, artists have produced their works way beyond the frame of computer graphics, utilizing their own unique perspectives and observational skills. This has resulted in a wider range and sphere of works entered. It is great to see entries from a variety of different genres. I would like to see more youthful, pop, energetic works next year. I'm hoping to see mature works, from the young, powerful generation. I was stunned to find so many artists who were skillful in detailing their works. The contest of "still pictures" gathered such a group of artists. In fact, I found some frequenters among the entrants? I feel that the DCA contest, already held five times, has steadily been building its history. Its five-year-long history has become a rich ground for trying some new things. I think it would be interesting if we accept works in more varieties of genres, including movies, starting next year. |
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[Comments on Grand Prize Winner] Just like it is entitled "Carnival," its composition is musical, and rhythmical. If you take a closer look at it, this piece will remind you of the hunting and gathering era, while its color shows a deeply religious atmosphere. It also has optical and geometric images, strong patterns of contrast. The mixed, chaotic world is well expressed here. This is a very interesting piece of work, a work that points the way toward the 21st century. Just looking at it, it gives you a rhythmical feeling? it makes you dance. This is brilliant. |
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[Biography] Yoichiro Kawaguchi, Professor, University of Tokyo. Computer graphics artist born in 1952 in Tanegashima, Kagoshima Prefecture. Graduated Kyushu Institute of Design and received a master's degree from University of Tokyo Education. Recognized around the world for his computer graphics art, he has received many distinguished awards, including: Tokyo Techno Forum, Gold Medal Award L'OREAL Grand Prix, L'OREAL Art and Science Foundation. "COACERVATER" (CD-ROM and book) was published in 1994 by NTT Publishing. In 1998, "LUMINOUS VISION," a collection of Yoichiro Kawaguchi's Art, was published on video, DVD and laser disk by Odyssey of the U.S.A. new book([Yoichiro Kawaguchi] was published in 1998 by ggg. TransArt Inc.) |
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Yojiro Shirakawa (C.E.O. of INDIVISIO Inc.) | ||
| [Comment] Generally speaking, there were many works with quite excellent quality. In my opinion, there were so many more works that deserved an outstanding work award, or those that could have been given other prizes. It was a joy to see quite a number of works that were created by the artists after he or she had carefully searched for answers to some profound questions: "What do I want to make an appeal for, in this work?" "What do I want to convey through this work?" At the same time, however, I also felt that most of the entrants needed to work harder at answering this question: "How do I express beauty, by utilizing digital techniques?" Meanwhile, it was disappointing to find only small number of entries for the category newly created this year, that is, "works in a set." I believe that there is something an artist cannot express only within one small frame. Not only familiar styles could be used in a set, such as bringing in logic, or chronicling themes, but also any other styles were allowed in using more than one frame. In other words, you were allowed to use a bigger canvas to express yourself. I wish I could have found more artists participating in this category. Now that the contest had its fifth anniversary, amateurish techniques have become a negative factor to be found in the entrees. I would like to see pieces that contain both bold ideas, and mature powers of expression that are supported by great techniques, next year, and in the following years to come. |
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[Comments on Grand Prize Winner] This is a delightful piece of work. It is expressed in a manner that makes its audience's hearts dance! Human beings, animals, as well as their souls, are all singing and praising their natural harvests together. In other words, the artist put images like those all into such a small amount of digital data, very well. Also, he used a variety of different pale colors, probably in an attempt to build an image of wall paintings from time immemorial. This is a work with a high quality; he created it by fully, but covertly, making use of detailing techniques that he possessed. At the same time, however, this work seems to me to be still in the developing stage?there seem to be many factors yet the artist can work on, to make it even more attractive. I believe he can express even more of his passions than he has. I'd love to see more artists come up with works like this one, on similar themes, which would leave a more striking impression in the audience's hearts. |
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[Biography] Graduated from Waseda University, Law Department Extensive experience in planning and production of films, plays and television programming. Key figure in establishment of New Media Department in 1980 at one of Japan's major advertising agencies. Oversees planning and production of software for video disks, cable television, satellite broadcasts, character broadcasting (for the hearing impaired), and high-vision as well as interactive video exhibition systems; directs production and publishing of video business. Currently involved with network-related business, including production of multimedia software systems for schools, Internet home pages and game software and also a member of Okinawa content Business support Committee. |
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Kevin Meyerson (President of Rainbow Japan Inc.) | ||
| [Comment] It has been my honor to see how digital artists have grown over the past five years of the Toray Digital Creation Awards. In the past much of digital art was exactly... digital. The medium has matured and the tools have become more accessible to a larger and broader base of artists. This year's entries reflected this trend. Digital art is no longer just the realm of a relatively small group of people which was reality just several years ago. Over the next years I am excited to see the field grow and to experiencing all of the new creativity that flows in the pool of talent. |
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[Comments on Grand Prize Winner] There were so many wonderful entrants but this year's grand prize winner, "Carnival" was spectacular. It was pure joy to see how modern digital tools have been used to create a mix of animism and modernity. The use of colors, as well, create a wonderful contrast to the cave painting like images. |
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Norihiko Saitou (Director of Toray Industries. Inc.) | ||
| [Comment] The DCA now held its contests five times. During those five years, I have found that the computer graphic's territory has broadened dramatically. This year, many unique pieces of works caught my attention they are filled with flexible ideas, expressed beyond time and space. For instance, one work featured the age of the dinosaurs and ancient times; another one represented a scene in life from the 21st century, captured in a snapshot in sepia colors, among others. As a member of reviewing committee, I would like to keep improving my own sense and stay open-minded, to keep more flexible, richer ideas myself, and be well prepared for the sixth contest. |
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[Comments on Grand Prize Winner] "Carnival," the grand prize winner, brings the audience joy, with its swingy expressions in full play. In general, the entries by Japanese artists tended to represent dark, depressing atmospheres, which was probably a reflection of social conditions of the time. Among them, "Carnival" looked even more delightful-- it satisfied our eyes. As for "Hanafuda no sekai" the artist's rich imagination, which brought every factor that hanafuda cards possess into one picture, simply stood out. |
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| [ Review by the Chairman | Winning Entries Gallery | Introduction of the Judges ] |
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| Copyright(c) 2001 Toray Industries, Inc. All rights reserved. |