Short Profile: Makino Takashi
Makino Takashi (1978, Tokyo) is one of the new generation of Japanese experimental film makers. He broke through last year in Japan with his film No is E, for which he received the Tereyama Shuji Prize at the Image Forum Festival.
His first acquaintance with film art was through the photography department of the art academy at the Nippon University. Here he studied the technical side of the craft. From the start, he was intrigued by the possibility of using both film and video within his work. The early work of Derek Jarman formed an important source of inspiration in this. Another important influence was formed by the Quay Brothers; the use of light and the way in which they managed to integrate music and film sound made such a deep impression on Takashi that he became their student in 2001.
In his attempt to regard film as total art, he co-operated with a variety of musicians/sound artists. His two most recent works No is E and Elements of Nothing came about in close cooperation with Jim O’Rourke. For the screening during IFFR 2008, a soundtrack was composed for the work The Intimate Stars by the Dutch sound artist Wouter van Veldhoven.
Takashi’s work emerges from the classic experimental tradition, but distinguishes itself through its meditative character and the level of sensitivity.
In this combined programme
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Eve
An experimental film in which Makino has exposed his film material several times. In addition he used animation techniques. -
The Intimate Stars
A visualisation of the images of light that are left on the retina when we shut our eyes. -
Elements of Nothing
A breathtaking experimental composition of image and sound by film maker Makino Takashi and musician Jim O’Rourke. -
