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Screening Committee Chairman Comment for DCA2007 |
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Yoichiro Kawaguchi
Screening Committee Chairman
(CG artist, Professor at the Graduate School, University of Tokyo) |
| Overall Evaluation |
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Although there was quite a number of highly technical pieces this time round, it was wonderful that there were also many that were so fresh. That even first-time entrants could produce such excellent works gives us much hope for the future.
We were particularly impressed by the fact that all of the pieces showed progress since we received a diverse range of entries that also differed in terms of content, many of which we could never have anticipated.It was particularly interesting that there were many pieces that could not be stereotyped according to age.
The screening committee looks forward to being surprised by unexpected entries again next time. |
| Review of Award-Winning Works |
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*Grand Prize
In the midst of the fierce competition this year for the theme of "Color, Brilliance, Vividness ( )," this truly bright and fascinating piece, entitled "Singing Maman & Ladies" (Atsumi Kurotaki), took home the Grand Prize.
The movement of the shapes overflows with a sense of rhythm, and the work itself appears to be dancing. This sets it apart from the other pieces.
The characters themselves are all products of the imagination. The deformation is extremely skillfully depicted, and the painstakingly rendered details of each individual character--their eyes, mouths, teeth, hairstyles and so on--are wonderful. As for the use of tone, the energetic characters stand out against the subdued background as if bathed in a spotlight, and the piece more than brings to life the theme of "Color, Brilliance, Vividness ()."
It's a truly wonderful work.
The screening committee unanimously proclaimed it as the Grand Prize.
*Excellence Award
"The wind of sai-four seasons-4-Series" (Shigeru Saitoh), which received the excellence award for the "Color, Brilliance, Vividness ()" theme, is a piece that vividly depicts the world of the sublimely clear, transparent air. The refined tones that capture the impalpable feel of air and light are fantastic. The use of color makes for a beautifully finished piece that compares favorably with any of the entries.
Given that many of the entries for the "Laughter, Smiles, Happiness, Joy ( )" theme mysteriously lacked laughter, the composition of "Laughing Boys' Choir" (Shikuri Uraji) was particularly striking in that it multiplied the number of smiles by means of the typical computer technique of "self replication," so that it swarmed with laughing characters. A close inspection reveals that each individual expression has been executed extremely well, and the modern Western style was particularly good. It was popular because it was fresh and people could enjoy looking at it.
Many of the entries for this theme were individualistic.
"Portrait 1, 2, 3, 4, 5" (Kiyoung An) won an excellence award on the theme of "Create, Construct, Manufacture ( )." This piece uses an extremely effective technique for the first half of the 21st century--that of creating surprisingly interesting shapes using digital processing that only computers are capable of, such as mirror imaging and reflection. It's the perfect example of the skillful use of the interesting montage technique, rather than creating everything by oneself. I don't think I've ever seen a piece of art with such interesting and humorous shapes before.
Many pieces were nominated for their structure that suited the theme of "Create, Construct, Manufacture ()." I got the impression that there were many unexpected and fresh works, including those with both detailed and slimy organic structures.
*Special Encouragement Award
This is an award created with the intent of allowing the screening committee to pick particularly hopeful entrees and encouraging the creators to make further effort.
"Life is beautiful" (Tatsuya Uchida) displays an extremely high level of skill in its execution and technical ability, and Mr. Uchida has a great flare for juxtaposing shapes. We expect a great deal from him and hope that he will continue to take on new challenges in the future. |
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| Scenes of the judging process of DCA2007 |
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| Yoichiro Kawaguchi, a Screening Committee Chairman |
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Nobumichi Tosa, member of the Screening Committee |
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| Saori Kanda, a Screening Committee member |
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Kevin Mayerson, a Screening Committee member |
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| Norihiko Saitou, a Screening Committee member |
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All members of the Screening Committee exchanging opinions to narrow down the potential award-winning works |
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| Final judgment is made by looking at the works on PDP monitors |
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| Members of the Screening Committee in front of the Grand Prize-winning work; from left, Mr. Saitou, Mr. Tosa, Mr. Kawaguchi, Ms. Kanda, Mr. Mayerson |
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