Site is hosting the UK premiere of interactive works by Japanese digital artists Motoshi Chikamori and Kyoko Kunoh in collaboration with Lovebytes as part of the 8th Annual Lovebytes International Festival of Digital Art. Much of the work produced by Chikamori and Kunoh communicates its message by way of simple everyday things and events which are altered in some way through the interaction with the audience.
The exhibition – minim++ – will show their new work which combines traditional Japanese iconography with the latest computer software, producing mysterious shadow images which react with the visitor as they touch, walk over or play with the objects in front of them. minim++ explores existence and identity through shadows. Since ancient times our shadows have been perceived as confirmation of physical existence. Casting shadows evokes a primal response to experiment with illusions and transformation. In minim++, however, shadows do not always act as expected and we are invited to use our creative instincts to discover these enchanted digital worlds.
The artists were both born in Tokyo. Currently Chikamori lectures in the Department of Imaging Arts and Sciences, Musashino Art University and Kunoh is based at the Research Centre for the Arts and Arts Administration, Keio University. They were featured artists of Ars Electronica – Hidden World Festival in Linz, Austria in 2002. For this exhibition the artists have worked in collaboration with Yasuaki Kakehi, a Masters Degree student at Tokyo University studying Engineering.
This exhibition provides a vibrant, engaging and interactive focus for the Lovebytes Festival which takes place at various venues around Sheffield’s Cultural Industries Quarter 20-22 March. For further details of festival events see www.lovebytes.org.uk
Linked event: 22 March 4pm Screening and discussion event in which artists Motoshi Chikamori and Kyoko Kunoh will be talking about their work and reflecting on its relation to interactivity, digital media developments and Japanese culture. See www.lovebytes.org.uk for further details and for other linked events and workshops. Free. Booking essential
minim++ was funded by Yorkshire Arts and supported by Gripple Limited, Keita Ushida, Harashima & Naemura Lab, The University of Tokyo, Audio Visual Communications Ltd. Epson Sales Japan Corporation.