Ota Ward Cultural Arts Information Paper "ART bee HIVE" vol.4 + bee!

Issued April 2020, 9

vol.4 Autumn issue

The Ota Ward Cultural Arts Information Paper "ART bee HIVE" is a quarterly information paper that contains information on local culture and arts, newly published by the Ota Ward Cultural Promotion Association from the fall of 2019.
"BEE HIVE" means a beehive.
We will collect artistic information and deliver it to everyone together with the 6 ward reporters "Mitsubachi Corps" who gathered through open recruitment!
In "+ bee!", We will post information that could not be introduced on paper.

Featured article: Kamata, the city of Kinema + bee!

Art person: Benshi Yamazaki Vanilla + bee!

Art place: Washokuike- "Hikari of water and wind" Contemporary artist Takashi Nakajima + bee!

Shochiku Kinema Kamata Film Studio 100th Anniversary
I want to convey the history of modern cinema that Kamata is proud of through the film festival
"Kamata Film Festival Producer Shigemitsu Oka"

It has been 100 years since the Shochiku Kinema Kamata Photo Studio (hereinafter referred to as Kamata Photo Studio) opened in Kamata, which was once called the "City of Movies".To commemorate this, various special projects are being prepared at the Kamata Film Festival to be held this fall. "Kamata is a mysterious town full of energy. And it was thanks to the movie that this town became lively, and it was definitely the Kamata studio that was the source of it," he says. Kamata Film Festival producer Shigemitsu Oka.While working as a secretariat for the Daejeon Tourism Association, he has been involved in the planning and management of the Kamata Film Festival since the first year of 2013.

As I went along, I realized that Kamata and Shochiku had great brand power.

© KAZNIKI

What made you decide to launch the Kamata Film Festival?

"After retiring from the automobile company I worked for for many years, I joined the Tourism Association when I was asked by Kurihara (Yozo Kurihara), who is an old friend and chairman of the Kamata Film Festival, but at first I joined the film festival. In the meantime, at the Ota Business (AKINAI) Tourism Exhibition held by the Ota Ward Industrial Promotion Association in 2011, Shoichi Ozawa, an actor who was also a senior in his school days, took the stage.・ The person who loved Kamata was so strong that he called himself Kamata March. At that time, we asked him to say, "Speaking of Kamata, it's a movie. I want you to hold a film festival. I'll cooperate with you." In addition, words.Starting from this, we will hold a film festival.Unfortunately, Mr. Ozawa died the year before 2013, the first film festival, but Takeshi Kato, the representative of the theater company Bungakuza, Nobuyuki Onishi, the scriptwriter, and TBS Radio. Thanks to the gathering of various people related to Mr. Ozawa, such as Mr. Sakamoto, the producer of the long-lived program "Shoichi Ozawa's Kokoro Ozawa", we were able to successfully welcome the first event. "

How about looking back on the Kamata Film Festival that has been held so far?

"We had a lot of people who are related to Shochiku appear. Mariko Okada, Kyoko Kagawa, Shima Iwashita, Ineko Arima, Chieko Baisho, Yoko Sugi ... We will have a talk show together. I had many opportunities, but I was full of wondering why I was talking on the same stage with a big actress I had only seen on the screen (laughs). When I asked Mariko Okada to perform, she said, "My father and (Tokihiko Okada) were taken care of by Shochiku, so I can't help but go out." You said, and I kindly agreed on the spot.As I went along, I realized that Kamata and Shochiku had great brand power.The influence you had on actresses and actors who knew the old days was greater than you expected. "

This year is the 100th anniversary of the opening of Kamata Photo Studio, but what kind of content will it be for a film festival?Please tell us the highlights.

"Every year, while keeping in mind that we will introduce Shochiku's works, we set themes according to the current trends and incorporate various projects. In 2015, it was the 70th anniversary of the war, so the war We collected and exhibited related movies and featured actress Setsuko Hara who died that year. Last year, we featured Olympic-related features prior to the Olympic Games. This year, of course, Kamata Photo Studio 100 We are planning to set the theme of the anniversary, but due to the influence of Corona, we will not hold an exhibition that we have been focusing on every year. Along with that, we changed the direction a little from the originally planned content, and at the origin of Shochiku I decided to take up a silent movie. The period when there was a studio in Kamata was actually 16 years. In that short time, I made about 1200 works, but 9% of them. The above is a silent movie. The golden age of a silent movie coincides with the period when the Kamata studio was there. "

In addition to the silent movie screening, some benshi will also appear.

"The highlight is" I Was Born, But I Was Born, But I Was Born, But I Was Born, But I Was Born, But "by Midori Sawato (Director Yasujiro Ozu). Mr. Hairi Katagiri, who is familiar with both movies and Ota Ward, took the stage, and with his favorite director Yasujiro Ozu, he especially liked "(I Was Born, Butto)" It has been decided that you will be able to enjoy the same work with the introduction of Midori Sawato and Hairi Katagiri. After that, Akiko Sasaki and Vanilla Yamazaki are planning to make a benshi. I would like you to enjoy the silent movie by introducing various Benshi. Benshi is a culture only in Japan. It was born because there was a Japanese "narrative culture" such as Rakugo, Ningyo Joruri, Kodan, and Rokyoku. It is said that the star benshi in the heyday was paid more than the prime minister at that time. It seems that there were many customers who came for the benshi. With this film festival as a trigger, the benshi and silent films are attracting attention. I would be happy if it became possible. "

I used to dream of becoming a film critic.

"I Was Born, But I Was Born, But I Was Born, But I Was Born, But I Was Born, But I Was Born, But I Was Born, But I Was Born, But I Was Born, But I Was Born, But I Was Born, But I Was Born, But"

Mr. Oka seems to like a lot of movies, but do you have a deep knowledge of Kamata's works?

"To be honest, I didn't really touch on the silent movies shot at Kamata Studio. I knew" I was born, but I saw Born, But I was born. "I've loved movies since I was a child, but At that time, I was watching only Western movies. I've been watching a lot since I was in elementary school and junior high school. When I was in the second year of junior high school, I wrote a fan letter to my favorite actress, Mitzi Gaynor, and I got a reply from him. (Laughs). In Europe, where I stayed for a long time in my previous job, I used to go around movie locations well, and I've always had a passion for movies. "

Did you always want to work in movies?

"I used to dream of becoming a film critic. When I was in junior high school, I vaguely wanted to get a movie-related job, but I'm not a director, a scriptwriter, let alone an actor, but a critic. I was recklessly thinking about what to do ... Hideo Tsumura, Choji Yodogawa, Masahiro Ogi, and many other film critics at that time. But when I told my parents, I said, "Eat anyway. I couldn't do it, so stop it. "That's why I got a job at an automobile company, but after a long time, I'm deeply moved to be able to go around and get involved in movies.You don't know what happens in life.I'm quietly grateful to Kurihara, who gave me the opportunity to get involved in the film festival (laughs). "

There would be no development of modern movies without Kamata

It's also fateful to be in Kamata, the city of movies.

"Last year, the movie theater finally disappeared, and the impression that it was a movie city faded, but it was Kamata Film Studio that promoted the modernization of Japanese movies, and after the war, after Shinjuku, the movie theaters Kamata was the city with the most numbers. I think there is always the DNA of movies. It was a city that made movies around the golden age when there was a movie theater, and movies during the golden age of the second period that I visited after that. It was famous as a city to watch. I don't know when and how the third season will come, but I hope Kamata will be revived as a movie city again. I will try to help Kamata Film Festival. I want to. "

Please tell us your future prospects and goals.

“Every time I go through the festival, I get more and more opportunities to get people to say,“ It was fun ”or“ What are you going to do next year? ”, And I feel that it has taken root as a local film festival.I'm just grateful to the people who support me.Actually, I'm currently considering taking a new approach under the circumstances of Corona. A plan to hold an online film festival using YouTube is also in progress, and one video has already been uploaded (* at the time of the interview).We are currently negotiating with various places to show the video of the benshi and talk show that will be held at this film festival, so please look forward to it.From this year, when we have reached a break, we would like to shift to something that is in line with the times, like online.As long as we have the physical strength, I would like to do my best through various trials and errors (laughs).After that, I wish I could have a facility related to movies. It's like "Kinemakan".It doesn't matter if it's small, but I wish there was a place where you could see materials and works and experience the history of Kamata.As I continued the film festival, I realized the meaning of Mr. Ozawa saying "Kamata is a movie".It is no exaggeration to say that modern movies would not have developed without Kamata.I would like many people to know the great history that Kamata has built. "

Sentence: Shoko Hamayasu

The leading role is a silent movie.Benshi is a profession that stands at the edge of the stage, not at the center.
"Activity photographer Vanilla Yamazaki"

Approximately 120 years ago, Benshi, who appeared in the era when movies were called activity photography, was an important presence that added color to silent films with unique narratives.However, with the advent of a movie with audio, it will end its role.It is said that there are more than a dozen benshi who are currently active.This time, Vanilla Yamazaki, an activity photographer who has gained widespread support for her unique style despite being such a rare existence, will be on stage at the Kamata Film Festival.We will hold live benshi live performances and workshops for children.

An original benshi that has been cultivated quite naturally

© KAZNIKI

It seems that Mr. Vanilla took the first step toward becoming a benshi 20 years ago.Please tell us the reason for your debut.

"When I graduated from university during the Employment Ice Age in 2000 and couldn't decide where to work, I found an article about recruiting a seated benshi at the theater restaurant" Tokyo Kinema Club, "which screens silent films.The reason was that the benshi went to the audition and passed the audition without knowing what it was.I had never touched a silent movie before and had no knowledge.In such a state, I suddenly decided to make a stage debut. "

Suddenly I jumped into an unknown world.By the way, what is the world of Benshi?Is it common for you to become a student and have your teacher or senior teach you?

"Unlike rakugo, there are no trade associations, so we don't know the exact number of benshi, but now there are only about a dozen. In the past, there was a license system to become a benshi. That's right, there is no such thing now, and there are many people who are active in various ways. Some are students, some are like me, and some start by themselves. Benshi Since I write the script myself, the storytelling is not something that has been handed down like rakugo and storytelling. Therefore, there are various styles. Those who follow the narratives of their predecessors and are close to the senses of modern people. Some people mainly use the current language to put a script on the screen. I am completely the latter type, and I am doing a fairly naturally cultivated original benshi, so if there is still a license system I'm not confident (laughs). "

Speaking of vanilla, it is impressive to see him playing the piano and Taishogoto while playing a benshi.

"Benshi is said to be the first in history to play and speak, and I think I'm the only one. Benshi has to write the script himself, but he was frustrated early ... Actually, secretly, Instead, I had my dad write it for me. Other benshi praised me, "This script is good!", And I had mixed feelings that I couldn't say anything about (laughs).Then I came up with the idea of ​​playing movie music myself!You can keep silent while you play.What I got was Taishogoto, which my grandmother bought for me online but didn't use it.Western films are also played on the piano. "

Did you play the instrument originally?

"My mother was a piano teacher, so I've been learning the piano since I was four years old. But Taishogoto was completely self-taught. After playing on stage several times, I went to the cultural center several times to learn. I was surprised by the teacher, "I messed up the strings and how to play" (laughs). "

I think it's a great technique to talk while playing an instrument according to the image on the spot.

"My father, a doctor of ergonomics, told me that if I used the right and left brains at the same time, I should be able to play and talk at the same time. I have done it.I'm sure I'm doing something quite advanced, but I can't do anything else dexterously.The driver's license was repaired three times when the car started and stopped, and I gave up getting it.I couldn't ride a bicycle, and I wasn't able to swim in my grade (laughs). "

I feel a lot of ties

At the Kamata Film Festival, which will be appearing this time, you will be able to speak of two films shot at the Shochiku Kinema Kamata Film Studio.

"I've lived in Ota Ward from the year I was born until now, but in fact I've never attended an event in Ota Ward. Especially because I always wanted to appear at the Kamata Film Festival. I'm very happy that my wish came true. Matsutake Kinema Kamata Film Studio was a studio specializing in silent films, so I feel a lot of ties. This time, I'm looking at my favorite Torajiro Saito. The director's work called "Children's Treasure", which is exactly like Japan's slapstick comedy! And another work called "Rushing Boy" directed by Yasujiro Ozu, but the main character's child is really The real name of the movie, Tomio Aoki, changed the name of the movie to "Rushing Boy" and became a big star child.By the way, "Katsuben!" Released in December last year. (Starring Ryo Narita, a movie set in the era when Benshi was active), directed by Masayuki Suo, has featured a character named "Tomio Aoki" in most of his works, including the film. , All of them are played by Naoto Takenaka. "

"A Straightforward Boy" (1929) Toy Film Museum © KAZNIKI

At this year's Kamata Film Festival, various other benshi will appear.

"Scripts, lines, direction, narrative ... There are different styles in every element, so even the same work may have completely different content depending on the benshi. In the heyday of silent movies, he said," I'm going to listen to the movie. " It's about.Especially this year, Mr. Midori Sawato, a leading figure in the benshi world, who appears every year, will perform with the live performance of the orchestra.By the way, this time, A Straightforward Boy is also starring in "I Was Born, But I Was Born, But" (Director Yasujiro Ozu), which is spoken by Professor Sawato.In addition, Akiko Sasaki will be active in another work directed by Torajiro Saito.I would like you to see it every time. "

Benshi is a profession that stands at the edge of the stage, not at the center

Vanilla will also hold a workshop for children, right?What kind of content is this?

"The next day, the children who gathered will appear in my performance and show off their benshi on stage. This workshop itself has been held for the first time in about three years. If the children can afford it, the script I'm free to write it, but I'm really looking forward to what kind of masterpiece will be born because it will make an unexpected and interesting arrangement. Actually, I also have a child who is 3 years old, but always I'm imitating what I'm doing, opening a picture book, playing a toy piano, and telling a story I made! "

It looks promising in the future (laughs).I think it is difficult to balance work and child-rearing, but can you tell us about your future prospects and goals?

"Mama-san Benshi is said to be the first after the war. It's actually too hard and I tend to be busy doing my daily work, but I still have a strong desire to stand on the stage. When I was invited to the Kamata Film Festival, I studied the history of Shochiku Kamata and watched a movie about Kamata, which was really interesting! I usually write my own pictures. I'm showing an introductory video "Activity Photo Imamukashi" that is related to activity photos and benshi in the style of adding music and narration, but it would be nice if I could introduce the history of Kamata in that way. . Ota Ward is trying to liven up Kamata's culture, so I'd be happy if we could continue to work together to preserve the lively culture and silent films for posterity. Benshi is a special position as a performer and director. So, a profession that stands at the edge of the stage instead of the center. The leading role is a silent movie. Modern benshi need to investigate the historical background at that time, and I feel that there are many people who are entertainers but have a researcher temperament. In addition to aspiring to talk, I love silent films themselves. I want many people to enjoy such a mysterious entertainment that they forget the existence of a benshi and are drawn to the screen. . "

Sentence: Shoko Hamayasu

Profile

© KAZNIKI

Benshi. In 2001, he made his debut as a lecturer at the silent movie theater restaurant "Tokyo Kinema Club". Established a unique voice called "helium voice" and a unique art style of playing the Taishogoto and piano. Published in 2019, directed by Masayuki Suo "Talking the Pictures! 』Appeared.As a voice actor, he has appeared in many works including the role of Jaiko in the anime "Doraemon".

Senzokuike- "Light of water and wind"
"Contemporary artist Takashi Nakajima"

If it gives you a chance to see it from a different perspective than usual

Senzokuike is a place of relaxation for the residents of Ota Ward and a famous place and historic site that represents the ward.At Senzokuike, an art program "Water & Wind Lights" by contemporary artist Takashi Nakajima will be held this fall as part of the OTA art project "Machinie Wokaku * 1".We asked Mr. Nakajima about Senzokuike, the venue for this work and the project, and about Ota Ward.

There are various lives of various people

© KAZNIKI

You are from Ota Ward, aren't you?

"Yes, I'm Minamisenzoku, Ota-ku. I'm from Senzokuike Elementary School, and I've been to Senzokuike since I was little. I've been in Ota-ku since I was born."

You still live in Ota Ward. What is the attraction of Ota Ward?

"There are a lot of them (laughs). It's not far from the city center, and there are plenty of nature such as Senzokuike, Tama River, Peace Park, and Wild Bird Park.
It is also a very wide city, with Denenchofu and a town factory.In fact, there were rich bonbons around me, and I had a lot of friends, such as the downtown shopping streets and the Yancha guys at the town factory.While there were various lives of various people, friends with very different living standards were usually playing together.I'm glad I grew up in this city.
After all, it's convenient to go to Haneda Airport and overseas, and it's the gateway to Tokyo. "

I want to visualize natural light, wind and air

Why did you choose the expression installation * 2 in contemporary art?

"I was drawing at first, but I was wondering why I had to draw a picture that fits inside the square frame of the campus. In a round frame or a round edge. I started to draw pictures. Gradually, it became less interesting and I was drawing in a strange amoeba-like shape, but at the end, I was sloppy that I had to put it in the frame. It has become.
What I often do when I see other people's two-dimensional works is that I myself get into the work in my mind. Imagine, "What kind of scenery would you see if you entered this picture?"Then I realized that if the painting itself spreads out in a space, rather than a two-dimensional work called a painting, I think that everyone can enjoy the world I drew in that space.That's how I came up with the expression method of installation. "

How was it when you actually started the installation?

"In the case of paintings, the place to look is usually decided and the lighting is done indoors. In the case of installations, especially in my case, there are many works outdoors, so the lighting is the sunlight. The sun in the morning. It means that the position of the lighting changes all the time from climbing to sinking. The appearance of the work changes by changing the position of the lighting. That is the fun of the installation done outdoors. Even on windy days If so, there will be rainy days and sunny days. It's one work, but you can always see different expressions. Furthermore, when you feel the difference in the weather due to the installation, what about the surrounding environment? If you ask me, I think it makes sense for me to make the work.
For that reason, I use a transparent, colorless object = stretch film * 3.The place to install is important, so I am aiming for a work that does not kill the place, but allows my work to be utilized in the place. "

《Goal difference》 (2019) Arts Chiyoda 3331

Many of Mr. Nakajima's works use stretch films other than this time.

"My installation is a device that can capture natural light, wind, and air, or I want to visualize it. A stretch film that is durable against rain and wind and reflects and transmits light intricately reflects my thoughts. It's a good material to express.
It is also attractive that it is a mass-produced industrial product, which is usually sold at supermarkets and home improvement stores.It is also the fun of contemporary art to use such everyday items to create works of art. "

Could you tell us about this work "Hikari of Water and Wind"?

"It will be a work that connects Senzokuike and the boathouse with a stretch film. I will stick it in a shape that spreads from the roof of the boathouse toward the pond. When the wind blows, it makes a rattling noise and it rains. When it rains, traces of polka dots will be attached to the stretch film. There are natural phenomena that occur on cloudy days, hot and humid days, and those days that are usually passed by. I hope that you will enjoy those things. I am. "

A place where you can be healed just by looking at it

You said that you have been living near Senzokuike for a long time. What kind of place is Senzokuike for Mr. Nakajima?

"Spring is a place where you can feel the seasons, such as cherry blossom viewing at Sakurayama, Japanese music concert" Spring Evening Symphony "at Sanrenbashi," Firefly Evening "in summer, and festivals at Chizuka Hachiman Shrine in autumn.When I was a student, I rode a boat with a woman (laughs).When you get stuck or want to feel a little relieved, you can come here by bicycle or motorcycle at night or in the morning and just stare at the pond and you will be healed. "

When you heard about the installation at Senzokuike, did you think it was different from your usual request?

"Of course. I'm in the profession of making works, so I thought it would be great if I could exhibit my works at Senzokuike someday. I think this project will be a very valuable exhibition for me. "

Finally, could you give a message to everyone in Ota Ward?

"Yes. It would be nice if you could feel free to go for a walk and see the work at Senzokuike. And my work gave me a chance to see Senzokuike from a different perspective. Also, I'd be happy if you could put this kind of thing in the corner of my head, and when it became a little more famous in the future, "Oh, that person at that time." I hope you can think of it. (Lol). "

Sketch of work by Mr. Nakajima

• * 1 OTA Art Project "Machinie Wokaku":
  A project centered on contemporary art.The gusset of Ota Ward is likened to an art gallery, and various works of art are exhibited in the gusset, making it a place where anyone can easily and easily appreciate art.As a beautiful gusset where you can meet art, we aim to be an opportunity to foster the diverse aesthetic sense and pride of the inhabitants of the ward, and to foster the creativity of children.
• * 2 Installation:
  One of the expression methods and genres in contemporary art.The art of adding or installing objects and devices in a specific space and experiencing the reconstructed place or space as a work.It is characterized by being closely linked to a specific place and many works that exist only for a certain period of time.
• * 3 Stretch film:
  A film for preventing load collapse used when shipping goods.It is transparent and transparent, and has both flexibility and strength.

Profile

© KAZNIKI

Contemporary Artist
Born in Tokyo in 1972
1994 Graduated from Kuwasawa Design School, Graduate School of Photography
2001 Lives in Berlin | Germany
2014, 2016 Grant from the Mizuken Memorial Culture Promotion Foundation
Currently living in Tokyo

Solo exhibition

2020 form of exchange <exchange form> / SHIBAURA HOUSE, Tokyo
2017 Daily Subtleties / Gallery OUT of PLACE TOKIO, Tokyo
2015 Kikusuru: Knowledge Capital Festival / Grand Front Osaka, Osaka
Group Exhibition 2019 Iron Works Island Festival "IRON ISLAND FES" Keihinjima, Tokyo
2019 Zou-no-hana Terrace 10th Anniversary Exhibition "Futurescape Project", Yokohama
2017 The story begins with the mixture of pictures and words Ota City Museum and Library, Gunma
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Contact

Public Relations and Public Hearing Section, Culture and Arts Promotion Division, Ota Ward Cultural Promotion Association