FEATUREA flood of light and sound woven by the spirited unit NONOTAK! The night was intoxicating as the dedication performance echoed through Kiyomizu-dera Temple in the fall.
A flood of light and sound woven by the spirited unit NONOTAK! The night was intoxicating as the dedication performance echoed through Kiyomizu-dera Temple in the fall.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of the most popular temples in Kyoto, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. The temple is officially called Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Otowasan Kiyomizu-dera Temple). Three times a year, in spring, summer, and fall, Kiyomizu-dera Temple holds a special nighttime viewing. Especially in autumn, Kiyomizu-dera Temple becomes a special spot for sightseeing in Kyoto as a major sightseeing spot for autumn foliage. At this special time, the internationally acclaimed artist "NONOTAK" gave a live performance at the opening of the Autumn Special Viewing. Here is a report on this exciting night of tradition and innovation.
NONOTAK Formed in Paris in 2011, the artist unit of illustrator Noemi Schipfer (left) and architect and musician Takami Nakamoto (right). Their live performances and installations, which synchronize music in a space illuminated with images of minimalist motifs of straight lines, curves, and geometry, inviting an immersive experience, have attracted attention from around the world. They have also produced promotional videos for Toyota's Prius, Nokia, Hermes, Adidas, and Stella McCartney. www.nonotak.com
Kyoto in autumn is known for its autumn foliage. I don't think anyone would disagree that Kiyomizu-dera Temple is the most famous temple in Kyoto when it comes to autumn foliage. Although the city attracts many tourists all year round, the streets are especially crowded during this time of year.
Kyoto has a typical basin climate with hot summers and cold winters, and although it is quite cold in mid-November, people walking along Kiyomizu-zaka, one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Kyoto, are all in high spirits. Men and women, young and old, parade through the streets to enjoy the autumn leaves that have already begun to change color.
HOUYHNHNM's was invited to participate in the opening event of the Autumn Night Special Viewing, which will be held from Saturday, November 11 to December 3, (, ). At this event, a dedication performance by NONOTAK ( NONOTAK ), an artist unit based in Paris and active worldwide, was held in the Kyodo, an important cultural property.
Widely known for its experiential works that synchronize space, video, and music, NONOTAK has performed at various art / music festivals and music festivals, including Tate Britain, an art museum in London, England, and has attracted worldwide attention as the "new Mediatheater.
Before the performance, we had the opportunity to speak with architect and musician Takami Nakamoto and illustrator Noemi Schipfer.
The lines are elegant, beautiful , and strong.
All of NONOTAK's works use light to create complex spaces, don't they?
Takami Nakamoto ( , Takami)Making it look complicated is one of our concepts. . However, the tricks are all very simple. The key point is how to make them look artistic.
Noemi Schipfer ()For example, when I participated in the Roppongi Art Night, I did an exhibit in which round lights were projected onto 10 screens arranged back to back like dominoes, making the lights appear three-dimensional, like echoes. . It was a simple mechanism of just shining light on the screens, but it looked very grand.
The images projected on the screen are also simple: circles, squares, and sometimes just lines.
Takami. We think and create the work together, but Noemi is the one who creates the image.
NoemiWe call this image "Kinetic Visual. Circles and squares are both originally composed of lines. Simple lines are elegant and beautiful. And yet they are also powerful. That is why I am attracted to lines.
TakamiNoemi is an illustrator and has provided illustrations for Hermes .
What roles do the two of you each play?
TakamiThe space and staging are thought out by both of us. As I mentioned earlier, the structure is basically simple. We are given a space, and we both think about how to make the best use of that space. Noemi creates the kinetic visuals, and I think of the music.
I want to experience the tension of a live performance and the sense of freedom when it's over.
How did NONOTAK's activities begin?
TakamiMe and Noemi met when we were in high school, and we both lived in Paris.
NoemiTakami's parents are Japanese, but he grew up in Paris , and I am a mix of Japanese and French. We met during a summer vacation one year while I was back in Japan.
TakamiAfter graduating from high school, I went on to pursue a career in architecture, and Noemi was working as a freelance illustrator, and one day we talked about doing something together.
. So that's how it came to fruition and led to NONOTAK's activities.
TakamiThat's the simple explanation. I was working for an architectural firm that asked me to paint a picture on the wall, and Noemi came to mind and I asked her to do it. However, it was not interesting to simply paint a picture. I wanted to create something unique and tricksy, so I asked her to paint a picture using luminous paint.
NoemiThe concept is that during the day it is a concrete wall, but at night the graphics are revealed. The space changes as time changes.
TakamiThat is when I became aware of NONOTAK as a NONOTAK.
How did you come to treat "light" as a motif when you originally started out as a painter?
NoemiTakami can also make music, and I wanted to focus on how to create space.
Takami. When I was studying architecture, I was interested in spaces where I would be surrounded by light. . But when it comes to expressing that in my work, it's not so easy to do. . So we decided to make the format smaller and do what we could do.
. At first, the exhibition was in the form of an installation, but in addition to that, I am currently performing live as a musician.
TakamiI used to be in a band, but I miss the stage (laughs). I used to be in a band, but I missed the stage (laugh). It's not about tension and release, but the elation of being on stage and the sense of accomplishment when it's over. I wanted to experience that in NONOTAK as well.
Is there a difference in awareness between live performances and installations?
NoemiWe are trying to make our silhouettes come alive in a live setting.
TakamiWe put projectors in front of and behind us so that silhouettes of people can be seen and disappear. . The stage has a lot of depth, so we tried to make the most of it.
I heard that you have decided to perform "SHIRO" at the live concert at Kiyomizu Temple this time.
TakamiI have a tremendous attachment to "SHIRO."
NoemiWhen I do installations, I feel that I am shining a light rather than projecting an image through a projector. White light is simple and strong, isn't it?
TakamiIf we put color in our expression, people would think it is video art. It is all about light. The symbol of this is "SHIRO.
Why did you decide to perform at Kiyomizu Temple in the first place?
TakamiWe had the opportunity to show our live video to the people of Kiyomizu-dera Temple. They liked it very much. Kiyomizu-dera Temple holds an annual illumination of the autumn foliage, and we were invited to perform at the opening of the event.
I think the same is true of installations, but I think you will understand their greatness when you actually experience them on site.
TakamiYes, yes, I do. I want you to feel the intensity of the light and the sound. The amount of light from one projector is about 10,000 lumens, which is five times the amount of a normal monitor. The power of the light is great, and the sound is fused into it, so I think the dynamic is different.
Have you two ever been to Kiyomizu Temple?
NoemiOnly once when I was little. But I'm very nervous because it's a traditional place. . but I'm also looking forward to it just as much.
TakamiI haven't been there since I was a small child. It seems to take twice as much mental energy as usual (laughs).
NoemiBut I am very happy because it was one of NONOTAK's goals to express itself in a traditional place.
TakamiYes, that's right. . I studied architecture, and I wanted to present my work in the context of traditional Japanese architecture. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a symbol of light and hope, and I actually feel the same way. So, it is a great honor for me to perform as NONOTAK in such a place. Of course, I feel pressure, too (laughs).
NoemiContemporary expression in a traditional place . I like the contrast between the two. I am looking forward to it.
. Finally, what are your plans for the future of NONOTAK?
TakamiWe are usually based in Paris, but our roots are in Japan, and we would like to perform in Japan as often as possible.
NoemiI want as many people as possible to see my work. I want as many people as possible to see my work.
TakamiBoth installations and live performances are limited in time, so I would like to create more permanent works. For example, I would like to incorporate them into a piece of architecture. . I would like to increase the scale of my work and do more interesting things.
An evening where Japanese tradition and the cutting edge of art meet.
And here is a movie of a part of the live performance they gave at Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
The beat is sharp and angular , the rhythm is tense. These connect with lines moving in all directions. Thick lines, thin lines, squares of lines, rectangles, triangles.... To be honest, I had no idea that "lines" had such potential.
The two members of NONOTAK also paid special attention to this part of the setting. It was a wonderful time, an organic combination of an avant-garde performance and a traditional location in a way never seen before.
Incidentally, during the special autumn night viewing, the temple grounds are fantastically illuminated by approximately 500 lights. In addition, the blue searchlight "Kannon Jisho Hikari," which expresses the mercy of Kannon Bosatsu, the principal deity of Kiyomizu Temple, is illuminated across the sky, and many people enjoy this seasonal tradition of showing Kyoto in a new light.
Needless to say, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, located in the Otowa Mountains in Kyoto, is one of the most famous places for viewing the autumn leaves. Thousands of beautifully colored maple trees are illuminated along with the temple's temple complex, creating a spectacular sight to behold.
Seijoin, which is normally closed to the public, will also be open to the public during this period. The night view of Seijoin Garden, one of the most famous gardens in Kyoto, also known as "Moon Garden," will be open to the public during this special period. The exhibition will last until December 3 (Sun.). Why don't you go and see the autumn leaves of a national treasure this year?
Kiyomizu Temple Autumn Night Special Viewing Dates: 11/11/2017 ( Sat ) - Dec 3, 2017 (Sun) Time: 17:30 - 21:00 (reception closed) Admission: Adults (high school students and older): 400 yen, Elementary and junior high school students: 200 yen , Children under elementary school age: free
