Interview of Takafumi Tsuchiya

by Jérémie Nuel

Present since 2002 on the Japanese scene of motion graphics and visual performance, Takafumi Tsuchiya (Takcom) broadcasts his experiments in motion and transcends disciplines, always looking for new visual vocabulary. With an experience in traditional Japanese animation, he’s now working in Tokyo.

Recent awards and exhibitions (2009)
Fantasia
Portable Film Festival (Portable Film Festival Film the Future Winner)
“Gruesometwosome: Collaborations in art making” at Pennbrick Gallery
Small World international animation festival
Art in Motion at HIVE Gallery
Art in Motion: Takcom / Solo Exhibition at the Digital Media Centre in Barnsley, UK.
Onedotzero
Tweak
Tarfest
International Short Film Festival Shnit

Website : takafumitsuchiya.com

Live photos by Toshihiko Kikuchi.


Jérémie Nuel : Please describe your professional practise. How did you come to design work ?

Takafumi Tsuchya : Since I was child, I always wanted to do an activity related to the image.
I studied film, video art and animation at the university,
But I was not totally decided what I wanted to do.
After I graduated, I worked on various productions, such as animation companies and society CG.
Regarding my current job, I trained alone.

JM : Your works combine print design, motion design and filmaking. Is it important for you to practise all ?

TT : I think it’s natural to choose the best way to fit for each individual work. But I do not deny that sometimes it is a challenge when they are not suited to my favorite technique.

JM : It seems that all your project has something to do with music, is it correct ?

TT : It is not possible to separate my works from music.
Because I learned electronic organ since i was a 3 years kid !
Music will always influence me, even when I don`t do something for that.

JM : How do you work with musicians ? Specially for live events ?

TT : That is always really exciting experiences and experiments for me!
I prepare differents materials and I analyze the sound for each musician and live project.
I connect directly to the sound stream, and I work with Modul8 and Quartz composer in real time with the music.
For me, Analyze means both Physically and mentally.
When the musician start the live, I imagine next beat and sound.
We talk together about the atmosphere of the live that will be played.
I believe the most important thing is to understand the music.

Live example ( Photos credits: Moritz Bernoully

http://www.flickr.com/photos/moritzbernoully

http://www.flickr.com/photos/moritzbernoully/2882700251/in/set-72157606285670890


JM : How is the Tokyo motion graphic scene for you ?

TT : I think that it shuts very much. And, it is not well know at international level

JM : What are the most interessant project you are working on ?

TT : Now I`m working on the video for the band AU from U.S. (http://www.myspace.com/peaofthesea - http://au-au-au.com/). And some upcoming works are really exciting for me, like a new collaboration with Myk Dawg from Ukraine (http://myk31.com/).