We are very excited to launch our new research project titled “Unearthing Japanese Experimental Animation of the 1960s and 1970s,” with a three-month series of special access to works by Keiichi Tanaami.
Our June features include a special access to view Spectacle, a work we found to need preservation in our 2018 Collection Survey at the Keiichi Tanaami studio. We digitized this work to preview, and found that it is an unfinished work. We are happy to provide this access to researchers and fans of Tanaami.
Our Monthly Artist Feature is a Members only program that provides a month-long access to selected works under CCJ’s research. During the month, members can enjoy the selected work(s) as part of the membership benefits. Sign-up here to become a member.
Keiichi Tanaami Monthly Features:
May
Marionettes in Masks (1965)
Sweet Friday (1975)
June
Why (1975)
Spectacle (1975)
July
Black Cat (1972)
Flicker Love No. 1 (1971)
Spectacle / 光景 | 1975, 16:50 min., 16mm, color
Spectacle / 光景 | 1975, 16:50 min., 16mm, color
A psychedelic film using four projectors. The film comprises of thirteen scenes, including a woman and man shot from the front. Shot frame-by-frame, printed onto transparent cel sheets and layered on top of one anther, the halftone dots from reprographics expand and contract to create a moiré effect.
WHY | 1975, 10:30 min., 16mm, color
A boxing ring turns into a stage for abstract animation where the punches thrown in the match and the halftone dots in reprographics gradually become indistinguishable. Tanaami shot a boxing match on a Motordrive camera, made two thousand offset prints, and rephotographed each of them. He explains his inspiration for the work being the experience of watching a boxing match on television but finding the newspaper print the next morning better capturing the exhilaration of the sport.
Support for this program is provided, in part, by the Philadelphia Cultural Fund and the Preserving Diverse Cultures program of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
