Governor Koike Delivers Congratulatory Remarks and Presents Prize Plate, Expresses Anticipation for Winners' Exhibition in November

On Sunday, September 10, 2023, the world's largest international projection mapping competition, the "1minute Projection Mapping Competition" (hereinafter referred to as the International Competition), held at the Seito Memorial Art Museum in Meiji Jingu Gaien, concluded successfully. Although the first day, Friday, September 8, was canceled due to the typhoon, the remaining days, September 9 and 10, were held without incident.

This year's international competition, which recorded the highest number of entries ever, saw Romania's Vali Chincișan triumphantly win the Grand Prix. For this year's theme “LINK,” he presented a work titled "Legacy Links," using AI-generated animation to depict the history woven by ancient civilizations, expressing the connection between the present and the past.

Unfortunately, the laureate was unable to visit Japan, but Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike attended the award ceremony and presented the prize plate to the jury member acting as her representative, László Zsolt Bordos.

Governor of Tokyo: "Vali Chincișan, congratulations. We received an overwhelming number of truly high-quality entries. I believe many creators will take flight from here to the world."
This year's theme is "LINK," the word for connection. Within this word "LINK" lies the idea that we must join hands to realize a sustainable future. I hope we can continue to enjoy this wonderful blend of technology and art together with all of you.
"Congratulations," he said in his congratulatory remarks.

Additionally, the international competition will be held as the main content of TOKYO LIGHTS, with a champions exhibition featuring past winners taking place in November. Look forward to the pinnacle of mapping shows by creators who have reached the world's highest level.

Message from Michiyuki Ishi, Overall Producer of the Event / Representative of the Projection Mapping Association

This international competition is built on the time, passion, and creative ideas of its creators. This year's theme, "LINK," felt particularly timely, as countries and people around the world were separated and losing opportunities to share.
We pay tribute to all creators and participants, and we aim to connect TOKYO LIGHTS and the international competition from Tokyo to the world.

▼ 2023 Award-Winning Works
Grand Prix (Tokyo Governor's Award)　 Vali Chincișan (Romania)

Work Title: Legacy Links
Concept:
This work is a vivid video mapping animation depicting the history woven by ancient civilizations such as Sumer, Egypt, and Greece. Through its dynamic visuals, it emphasizes their mutual evolution and collective influence on modern society. The animation serves as a bridge between past and present, suggesting that no civilization developed in isolation. Rather, each contributed to and influenced others. 'Legacy Links' reflects our ancestors' cooperative spirit, urging us to tackle today's global challenges while mindful of our shared history and interconnectedness.

Runner-up (TOKYO LIGHTS Award)　Elektrick.me (Bulgaria)

Work Title: Touch

Special Jury Prize: Ari Dykier (Poland)

Work Title: Human

Tokyo Tokyo Award: Resorb (Germany)  

Work Title: Umbra

Audience Award: Clockwork (Poland)

Work Title: A Neon Owl Symphony

▼ Regarding Prize Plates and Supplementary Prizes
　◆ The prize plate features the nationally designated traditional glass craft technique ”Edo Kiriko”

The prize plate for the 1minute Projection Mapping Competition is a special plate, a symbol of the competition's honor, obtainable only by a very select few. It is meticulously crafted each time to embody the value befitting such a prestigious award.

This year, the traditional glass craft technique "Edo Kiriko," recognized as both a Tokyo Metropolitan Traditional Craft and a Nationally Designated Traditional Craft, was adopted. Its production was handled by Mr. Tetsu Horiguchi, the third-generation master craftsman of "Horiguchi Kiriko," who carries on the tradition and prestige of manufacturing and selling Edo Kiriko.
The intricate patterns carry meaning: the 'Kiku Tsunagi Mon' and 'Kikuka Mon' patterns, derived from 'Kiku = Kiku' (chrysanthemum = joy), express the wish for joy to endure and connect forever; the 'Asanoha Mon' pattern symbolizes the wish for growth as straight, swift, and strong as hemp; and the 'Hakkaku Kagome Mon' pattern, with its shape said to draw good fortune from all eight directions, embodies the wish to hold happiness within.

▷ Horiguchi Kiriko Official Website:https://kiriko.biz/

◆ Multiple valuable supplementary prizes will be awarded to creators.

For the 2023 fiscal year, Barco Corporation, a pioneer in projector manufacturing, kindly sponsored the latest single-chip laser projector, the "Barco G50 Series DLP Laser Projectors," as a Grand Prix supplementary prize.

This model is the latest release, selected as Best of Show at InfoComm, America's largest audiovisual trade show held this past June. It embodies the vision of President and CEO Hironori Kato: “We want to expand the scope of moving experiences through mapping,” “We want to support creators producing mapping content worldwide,” and "We hope the '1minute Projection Mapping Competition' becomes a mapping event that resonates with people globally."

▷ Balco Corporation Official Website:https://www.barco.com/ja

Additionally, in addition to the prize plate and cash prize, all winners of the Grand Prix and the other five awards will receive a set from garageCube consisting of MadMapper—specialized projection mapping software—and its extension MadLaser, which enables laser mapping using a laser projector (each with a one-year license).
This supplementary prize supports the exploration of further possibilities for creators and the expansion of their opportunities for activity.

▷ garageCube Official Website:http://garagecube.com

▼ The World's Largest International Projection Mapping Competition: "1minute Projection Mapping Competition" 

The 1minute Projection Mapping Competition is Japan's one-of-a-kind international projection mapping event, showcasing high-level, uniquely creative works submitted by creators worldwide all at once. Each year, participants compete for the world's top honor with short projection mapping works lasting between 1 minute and 1 minute 59 seconds, based on a different theme. Now in its 11th year, this international competition boasts a history and prestige that draws global attention.