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Screening Committee Members Comment |
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Nobumichi Tosa
President of Maywa Denki |
| Overall Evaluation |
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My overall impression was that there was a greater variation among the entries. I tried to understand why.
Up to now you had to have the determination to go out and buy expensive Photoshop software in order to be able to draw pictures on your computer. Everything is cheaper now and every single person can customize their PC as they wish. Maybe that is why the pictures are so casual, like ones you would draw in the living room. Housewives might draw pictures after managing their accounts with bookkeeping software. People might draw stag beetles after listening to some music. I had an interesting sensation I was viewing particular moments plucked from scenes inside each individually customized PC.
Such scenes are also connected via the PC to the Internet and I had a feeling we were going to get to see pictures that represent one aspect of that environment in which a whole collection of elements interact.
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| Review of Award-winning Works |
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*Grand Prize
The Grand Prize winning work entitled "saikousei" was created by Kouyuu Oishi, probably using Illustrator effects, which I believe he used well.
Other entries were created simply through the "drawing of pictures" using a computer. In contrast, Oishi's novel idea was to draw a picture using the computer as a different kind of tool, like a microscope or a magnifying glass. I thought he used his "paintbrush" in a way that only computers make possible. He managed to depict a structure and a system by employing a series of pictures rather than just a single image, and I sensed a range of possibilities in terms of knowing he would be able to use this technique to draw many other works.
*Excellence Award
Winner of the Excellence Award for the theme of "Aroma/Smell" was the work entitled "strange impression" by Masumi Kawasaki. Her work was impressive because she added emotion to scent, whereas for the theme of "Aroma/Smell" an artist would normally just depict nice smells. I thought her ability to create space was amazing. If you look closely you can see she has pulled together a variety of materials for the collage--an eye and a tree collage, for example--and worked on it with her brush. I like the way her efficient use of space provides the finish for the picture.
Tamara Agapova, winner of the Excellence Award for the theme of "Happiness/Easiness/Music," cleverly applied effects that only a computer can offer to transform and reposition a keyboard she had drawn. The whole picture was composed with a rhythmic sensation and it was like enjoying a scene in an animation film.
The Excellence Award for the theme of "Omen/Trillion" was presented to Eri Kubota for her work entitled "I'm readying now," which seemed to me like embroidery where each single detail is drawn and then sewn together. I found this incredibly interesting as it produced strange forms that you would not see if a work was drawn starting with an image of the whole. It could be said that the picture appears bigger. There are whole worlds inside the detail, too, which is fascinating. And I like the work's charming qualities.
Usually when you do this on a computer, the tendency is to make do with reproducing the same image and slapping it on like a stamp. But here, every single spot has been drawn, imparting a nice punch.
*Special Recognition Award
The work entitled "Kuishinbo" by Toshie Ebashi was not an easy picture to draw. For her I don't think it's a question of ability, but rather she maintains a vivid sense of what she wants to draw. The birds as well are probably knick-knacks she bought because she liked them. She thinks they are cute, whereas others might say "What on earth is this!" (laughs) You know she has drawn it like this--using purple, of all colors, for the shadow, and the slimy light--because she wouldn't have had it any other way. It's the type of picture that says "I'm right" while others would say "You're mad!" (laughs) That fortunately turned out to be a major appealing point of the work.
Atsumi Kurotaki, winner of the Special Recognition Award for "The Dresses which my Mother loved so much," began printmaking when she was a young woman. The similarities are interesting as here it is as if light has been engraved onto a black screen. I think it's great that the work captures the freedom our pastimes provide us, since the artist is a professional printmaker who learned how to use a computer to make art. It's like she is saying: "Look what a middle-aged woman can do!" (laughs) I like the way it says a woman is a woman no matter how old she is. Very clever. |
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Saori Kanda
Artist |
| Overall Evaluation |
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This was the first time for me to judge this competition and the many works I came across shattered the perceptions I had held of "digital pictures." They also gave me personal inspiration. I approached the task of judging from a perspective of someone who creates all pictures by hand without the use of digital technology. In particular, I looked out for expression that resonated with the viewer, impressive and unique world-views which only that person could portray, as well as flexible and independent thinking.
It was especially interesting to observe such diverse interpretations of the competition themes. The prizewinners were the ones who first of all worked through a theme by themselves in detail, gave the matter a lot of thought, and then managed to get across their ideas in an original way. An open mind and the ability to fully express a world-view through their pictures are two attributes I would like to see the participants continue to develop.
At times I also think it is important to maintain a sense of urgency in order to create affecting works of art, as when drawing in analog we know that adjustments can't be made. |
| Review of Award-winning Works |
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*Grand Prize
I think Kouyuu Oishi's work "saikousei," winner of the Grand Prize, really stood out thanks to its concept within the "Omen/Trillion" theme--namely, the process whereby an insect is reconstructed inside its pupa. The picture fully communicates the idea, and is full of expression and good sense. It is a fantastic work that exhibits an insect's vital energy and the beauty of its form in a simple way, and makes you wonder "what next?"
*Excellence Award
While many works for the theme of "Aroma/Smell" illustrated the actual act of smelling or motifs suggestive of smells, the Excellence Award winning work "strange impression" by Masumi Kawasaki fascinatingly portrayed smell as something that evokes memories. Hurtful scents. Suffocating odors that cling to your body. The evident skill with which they have been depicted means you cannot look away, however painful.
Tamara Agapova's work won the Excellence Award for the theme of "Happiness/Easiness/Music." She must have been full of an animation spirit as she drew this, immersing herself happily in the music, and the audience gets to enjoy itself as well. The superb balance with which the swaying, undulating bodies are drawn makes you actually feel the sound. The simplicity of the tones and the motifs that appear in the picture--the piano keys, the notes--also help convey the happiness in the swirling lines. I imagined the enjoyment of a ball that goes on forever.
Winner of the Excellence Award for the theme of "Omen/Trillion" was Eri Kubota's work entitled "I'm readying now," which is simply filled to the brim with the "joys of drawing." First you are attracted to its warmth, lightheartedness, and relaxed doodling. But when you look up close you notice an enormous amount of detail. An indefinable, unique presence is created by drawing of dots one by one. You can sense deep inside its warmth and the determination and persistence that went into the drawing. The connection made between "Omen/Trillion" and Santa Claus getting ready for Christmas is a nice one that reveals the artist's ability to stretch the topic without inhibition.
*Special Recognition Award
The first thing that struck me about Toshie Ebashi's work, "Kuishinbo" for the theme of "Aroma/Smell" was her use of purple, and the fact that it looked anything but tasty. But yes, I know that smell. It's like the chemical smell of candy bought in an American supermarket that turns your tongue a funny color. I think you can sense in the picture the confidence with which the artist has depicted what she likes, as if saying: "Well I like that smell." Close attention to detail, as well, in the subtle textures and the glistening surface, contributes to the "Aroma/Smell" association. I would be interested to find out what sort of "this is what I like" works she would have come up with for the other themes.
Atsumi Kurotaki's "The Dresses which my Mother loved so much," which won the Special Recognition Award, presents an appealing scene in which a character is engrossed in her own private world. To tell the truth, I was amazed when I saw the artist's age because the open-minded playfulness was so lovely. The way the character applies her lipstick differs slightly to match the three different situations--a date, fortune-telling, dancing. The detailed expression of her hands. The mystical, yet strangely erotic design of her best clothes. The fixations of women are intimately depicted in this work, which is uniquely appealing in terms of both its concept and coloration. |
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Kevin Meyerson
Rainbow Japan, Inc., CEO
Rainbow Partners, Inc., CEO |
| Overall Evaluation |
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| The DCA this year had the largest number of entries, yet. It was challenging and refreshing to see the digital expression quickly becoming the norm for so many creators internationally. When we first began to plan the DCA more than ten years ago, there was a pronounced "digital division" in the creative world. Many creators tried to classify themselves as either "digital" or "analog" leaving the impression a creator was one, or the other. This division has clearly evaporated over the past ten years as evidenced by the huge variety of works in the DCA this year. |
| Review of Award-winning Works |
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*Grand Prize
Kouyuu Oishi's "saikousei", which had a theme of Omen/Trillion, is a fascinating multi-image work. The series of images shows a beetle evolving from a chaotic image into a clarified final form beetle. It was intriguing to see how the artist was able to create various combinations of digital effects to generate such an interesting work. Oishi's use of the digital media was skillful. I personally look forward to more images from the artist.
*Excellence Award
For the Aroma/Smell theme, Masumi Kawasaki's "strange impression" was unique in that Kawasaki was able to effectively convey strong emotions along with the scents which bring memories of specific experiences. Kawasaki's collage was shocking and mysterious, especially the bleeding cut along with the layered eye images. I was surprised to see that Kawasaki is quite new to the digital creation world since the artist exhibits unusual skill with the media.
Tamara Agrapova, a programmer, created the winning entry for the Happiness/Easiness/Music theme. The two images covey an enjoyable sense of motion and enjoyment, as well as fantasy. The detailed manipulations of the keyboard image to create such lifelike images was excellent. Hopefully the artist will consider doing a fully animated version of the work!
The winning entry for the Omen/Trillion theme was the superb "I'm readying now" from Eri Kubota. The five images are cute and storybook-ish upon first viewing, however, upon more careful examination, the images engulf the viewer with incredible detail in the dots that make up the images. Kubota has obviously spent a great deal of time and effort in creating these beautiful images.
*Special Recognition Award
Toshie Ebashi's "kuishinbo" exhibits a unique sense of color and imagery to express the theme of Aroma/Smell. The variety of neon colors along with the cute bird characters were a pleasure to view. The background which seems to be chocolate, but is purple in its highlights is strangely delicious!
"The Dresses which my Mother loved so much", created by Atsumi Kurotaki, was bizarre! Obviously, Kurotaki has a rich and enjoyable talent. The facial expressions, details of each figure, the rich colors, and the fantastic erotica, all make for an excellent work. |
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Norihiko Saito
Director of the Board, Chief Investor Relations Officer of Toray Industries, Inc. |
| Overall Evaluation |
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| Saori Kanda joined us as a new judge this year, bringing a fresh perspective to the Screening Committee. We judged all competition entries carefully, in a sincere and fair manner. My comments on the Grand Prize and Excellence Award winning entries are as follows. |
| Review of Award-winning Works |
| *Grand Prize
The Grand Prize went to Kouyuu Oishi's work entitled "saikousei" in a unanimous decision. This highly imaginative entry stood out as an intriguing series of images depicting the process through which a stag beetle is born out of chaos. The transparency of the beetle as it forms, lit up and dissolving out of the monochrome screen, was original and stimulating. You get a sense of the artist's talent and are made to want to see more of his work.
*Excellence Award
The Excellence Award for the theme of "Aroma/Smell" went to Masumi Kawasaki's work entitled "strange impression." I was drawn to it the moment I saw it. She is trying to tell us there are all kinds of smells--pleasant smells, dangerous smells, bitter smells, smells evoking painful memories, smells that bite into your wounds. It is a fine work that conveys the artist's sensitive nature.
Tamara Agapova's work won the Excellence Award for the theme of "Happiness/Easiness/Music." You can almost hear the music that fills up the entire scene, which assumes a somewhat nostalgic sepia tone. Staves swirl around and piano keys dance. It reminded me of the Walt Disney film "Fantasia" I saw when as a child.
For the theme of "Omen/Trillion," the Excellence Award went to Eri Kubota's work entitled "I'm readying now." And what a delightful and warm work of art it is, as a series of images that makes up a storybook. The festive season is almost here, and Santa Claus is making preparations. From the figurative ability and the expression of the carefully drawn detail, you sense a highly-skilled creator.
*Special Recognition Award
Special Recognition Awards went to Toshie Ebashi for "kuishinbo" and Atsumi Kurotaki for "The Dresses which my Mother loved so much." Ebashi's work is beautiful and looks delicious. You get an impression of fantasy and the work has a texture that makes you want to touch it. Atsumi Kurotaki's entry is again another charming work. I loved the mother who was made to look like a dress-up doll. |
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