Graphic Japan
The growing technical possibilities have helped Desktop Publishing develop in recent years at breakneck speed towards Desktop Directing. Graphic designers, film and video directors and animation makers all use the same software. One of the consequences is the increased influence of graphic design on cinema. Film-makers search for a visual language in which text, design, animation and video are all mixed up. The compilation programme Graphic Japan comprises work by about twenty-five young graphic designers from the so-called Tokyo-2000 generation. There are works from the artistic side and also commercial work – the boundaries are difficult to draw anyway – with well-known names such as Nendo Graphic Squad and Tanaka Noriyuki. The popular music act Fantastic Plastic Machine (Tanaka Tomoyuki) is also represented, with Dear Mr. Salesman, a mix of graphic and live-action animation. Pizzicato Five is also a well- known (easy tune) pop act, whose music video Ready Made TV Volume 2 pays homage in a strange and charming way to nostalgic feelings. In addition there is lots of new talent such as the artists collective Kyupi Kyupi, Keita Matsubara and Hayashi Hiromi (with the one-minute Kiriko, a pilot for a series about a girl who can say ‘Kiriko!’ like no other).
