1minute Projection Mapping in Odawara Castle
2019.10.8
The theme of this year's competition was "Dreams", which was inspired by the Sengoku Era, when it was decided to hold the competition at Odawara Castle. Creators from all over the world, like Samurai, faced Odawara Castle, aiming at the castle keep and the dream of being the best in the world, in a battle of images in a different dimension rarely seen in history. Even now, after the competition, I can still vividly recall the wonderful scenes of the battle, and the works that made a strong impact this time were truly remarkable.
Compared to the previous Miyazaki Prefectural Art Museum and other buildings in the past, the task of creating a visual design for the complex architectural shape of a "castle" seemed to be a very high hurdle, even to those of us who organized the event. In fact, many of the participants must have had a hard time capturing and utilizing the shape of this building, and must have had a hard time wrapping their heads around it. However, the works of the strong participants from all over the world overcame these difficulties to be selected as finalists, and their works have captured the hearts and minds of many spectators.
When projection mapping is held in these local cities, a great number of people see this expression itself for the first time. Those who are accustomed to seeing projection mapping are looking at it with a critical eye, waiting to see a work that surpasses the past. The finalists of this year's competition exceeded the expectations of both the audience and the people involved, and created a great sensation. First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the "Samurai of the Moving Image" who participated from all over the world. I would also like to express my gratitude and respect to the members of the jury, who worked long and hard to examine the results of the competition, even though it was very difficult.
Grand Prix "The Great Dreamer" Julia Shamsheieva (Ukraine)
The winner of the fierce competition at Odawara Castle was Julia Shamsheieva, a young female creator from Ukraine, and the first female winner in the entire competition. In the midst of the recent advances in 3DCG software, projection mapping has become a competition of expression techniques, but her work, with its graphical approach that goes beyond 3D image technology, left a strong impact with its unique music. How can a short, one-minute film in an international competition like this win the hearts and minds of the audience and the jury? This work was the result of a straightforward challenge to this question, and was highly evaluated not only for its degree of perfection but also for its approach. This was the result of not only the completion of the work, but also the approach taken by the judges, which was greatly appreciated.
https://youtu.be/IPAurmZKEIg
Runner-up "Hatsuyume (First Dream)" DecideKit (Thailand)
The runner-up, DecideKit from Thailand, has been participating in this competition for several years, and their CG quality has dramatically improved from their previous works. Moreover, while using the Japanese theme of "Hatsuyume (the first dream of the year)," the work was also very well done in terms of its contextual approach and design quality, such as the use of the crest of the Hojo family, lords of Odawara Castle, throughout the work, which fascinated the audience.
https://youtu.be/zoccP_f_O1A
Special Jury Prize "Glitch" AVA Animation & Visual Arts (Canada / Mexico)
The third-place Special Jury Prize went to AVA Animation & Visual Arts from Mexico. The work was a joyful sublimation of highly accomplished computer graphics, cute characters and pop visuals that grabbed the audience's hearts, and diverse elements such as local Odawara and Hakone marquetry patterns, warlords, bonsai, and Japanese cityscapes, all beautifully incorporated into this challenging building called Odawara Castle.
https://youtu.be/deJnHFQtbiE
Odawara Award "WAYAK" DUX ANIMATION STUDIO (Mexico)
The Odawara Award went to DUX ANIMATION STUDIO from Mexico, which combined the intense visuals of South America with Odawara Castle, and its vivid colors and design attracted many people. The work was like an invitation to a dream journey from Odawara to the other side of the earth.
https://youtu.be/RvFFtY0mFZI
Audience Award "The Past and Future" RESORB, Germany
The Audience Award was won by a German team called RESORB, which won with beautiful visuals and innovative ideas that attracted many people. They took a very interesting approach by depicting the lower part of the castle tower as the foot of the castle, and the castle travels through various worlds beyond dimensions. The quality of the CG in each scene was also very high, and the jury highly praised the projection mapping, as it incorporated the special and interesting qualities of projection mapping very well.
https://youtu.be/cm5zbNa4DJA
Special Prize "Odawara's legacy" Los Romeras (Spain)
Finally, an additional Special Jury Prize was awarded to Los Romeras from Spain, as recommended by the jury members. It was a great work that depicted realistic action as if we were transported back in time to the Warring States period. Although some questioned the fact that Odawara Castle had never been physically attacked and was a bloodless castle, as well as the violent expressions of war and bloodshed, the film was highly praised for its quality as a work of entertainment and won the award.
https://youtu.be/LIkLLyhdwc0
There were many other candidates, but it was the presence and strength of the work itself that ultimately determined the ups and downs of the competition. In the process of selecting works from such a wide range of variations, what points of comparison did the judges make? The results will be completely different depending on what points of comparison are made. When competing with works from various directions, it is important to have not only the quality of the images, but also a strong individuality and assertiveness that other works do not have, ideas that make us want to support them, and a challenging attitude. How to make the judges stop and think about these as points of comparison? This is not limited to projection mapping, but is a correct attitude for those who create things, and the judges with their sensitivity and experience have responded to this.
Finally, let me also mention that this competition is not only supported by the participating creators, but also by the citizens of the host city, the organizers and many staff members, and the warm support of the audiences who have attended the event. This event has already been eight years in the making and has become one of the most prestigious events of its kind in the world, but this is also the result of the growth and development that has been achieved through the harsh but warm evaluation and support of all of you, We hope that you will continue to enjoy this event with us and support us in the future.
October 2, 20191minute Projection Mapping Competition Planning General Producer Michiyuki Ishida
