13th Art Division Critiques

SEKIGUCHI Atsuhito

What caught my eye in the screening process were expressions that took embodiment or social structure as media, and works that had elements on how future media art should strike a balance with commodities. In the group of web works, I found the approach interesting in that they are not only used as a platform for sharing contents, but also offer a new environment for sharing creativity. These works have a different approach from works that incorporate material and narration, and they are difficult to evaluate even though they display a different kind of expression. These new approaches are attractive. In the screening session in the Art Division, we think positively of novelty in media presentation. However, if the works achieve a level of technology and perception in material and narration as art works, it is natural for us to accord great value to these points. On the other hand, in order not to nip the potential of expression in the bud, a new category is needed where the trend of these new media presentations can be evaluated in the future.

Profile
SEKIGUCHI Atsuhito
President, Institute of Advanced Media Arts and Sciences (IAMAS)
Born in Tokyo, 1958. SEKIGUCHI Atsuhito graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts and finished the Graduate School of Tokyo University of the Arts. Since 1980, he has been presenting his works as an artist, which mainly consist of paintings and media installations. He has been a professor at the International Academy of Media Arts and Sciences since 1996, and at the Institute of Advanced Media Arts and Sciences (IAMAS) since 2001. Currently, he serves as the President of IAMAS. His activities encompass not only Media Arts and information design, but also the study of the archive display in the areas of art information science, history of art, traditional art and archeology. His works include Chikyu no Tsukurikata (How to Create the Earth) and Keikan Series (Landscape Series). His books include Digital Rakuchu Rakugai Zu Byobu [Shimane-ken Bihon] (A Folding Screen Painting of Scenes of in and around Kyoto) (joint authorship, Tankosha Publishing).