Spacy (スペイシー) is a 1981 Japanese experimentalshort film directed by Takashi Ito.[1] The film consists of 700 continuous 16 mm still photographs of a gymnasium;[1] using a stop motion technique, the camera appears to move throughout the space and into photographs of the gymnasium itself that are displayed across multiple easels, creating a seemingly endless, recursive visual effect.[2][3]
A frame from Spacy: in a gymnasium stand multiple easels displaying photos of the gymnasium in which they are standing, in an example of visual recursion
Spacy takes place entirely inside a gymnasium, empty except for several easels which are positioned around the room. On each of the easels is a photograph of the gymnasium itself. Through the use of a stop motion technique, the camera appears to glide throughout the location in varying patterns, repeatedly entering into the photographs on the easels in a seemingly infinite effect. The Guardian's Chris Michael wrote that, in Spacy, "the viewer appears to be taking a roller coaster through an endless series of gyms: forward, left, right, down through the floor; with increasing speed in a recursive world that seems to branch into a vast yet self-repeating space."[3] At the end of the film, the camera comes to a stop at an easel displaying a self-portrait photograph of Ito with a camera.[4]
Background and production
Ito directed Spacy while a student at the Kyushu Institute of Design in Fukuoka, Japan. Prior to creating Spacy, Ito attended an exhibition at which he viewed the 1975 experimental short Ātman, directed by Toshio Matsumoto.[5][6] Ito was influenced by Ātman to create an 8 mm film titled Noh (1977), which was then followed by a trilogy of 8 mm films—Movement (1978), Movement 2 (1979), and Movement 3 (1980)—the third of which he described as a prototype for Spacy.[6] To Ito's surprise, Matsumoto came to work at the Kyushu Institute of Design, prompting Ito to abandon plans to get an immediate job and instead stay enrolled at the school.[7] Matsumoto served as a mentor for Ito, offering guidance during the production of Spacy, and Ito later stated that, "If Toshio Matsumoto hadn't come to our university, I don't think Spacy would have been born."[7]
Ito's first film shot in 16 mm,[6][7]Spacy is composed of 700 still photographs of the gymnasium in which it is set, which all together in the finished film create the illusion of continuous movement.[1][8][4]
The film was met with considerable applause when it was screened at Osnabrück University in West Germany in 1984.[9] It was later shown at the University of Würzburg, reportedly attracting a standing-room crowd due to positive word-of-mouth from students who attended the Osnabrück screening.[9] According to experimental filmmaker Nobuhiro Kawanaka, after the Würzburg screening, a faculty member passed a hat around the audience that eventually returned filled with a "mountain" of banknotes and coins.[3][9]
Retrospective assessments
According to Catherine Munroe Hotes of Midnight Eye, critics have described Spacy as a "cinematic roller coaster".[10] Hotes herself wrote that the film "transforms the ordinary architecture of the interior of a gymnasium into an extraordinary journey through space and time."[10]
Following its screening at the 61st International Short Film Festival in Oberhausen, Germany, in 2015, writer Yaron Dahan of Mubi likened Spacy to a playful basketball game: "Takashi's game begins following the filmic rules, before evolving quickly into one of inventiveness and surprise. The camera moves along invisible geometric patterns (not unlike the lines which define the game of basketball), and the spectacle of space is reinvented."[2]
In 2020, author Julian Ross wrote that Spacy, like Ātman, utilizes still animation techniques in order to "draw attention to film projection as the quick succession of photographs"; Spacy, according to Ross, refined this technique "to dynamic perfection".[11]
Home media
Spacy was released on DVD in 2009, packaged along with 19 of Ito's other films, as part of the two-disc set Takashi Ito Film Anthology.[10][12] The DVD includes behind-the-scenes images of notebooks and photos used in Spacy's production.[10]
See also
Droste effect – an effect in visual art of a picture recursively appearing within itself
References
^ abcdNishijima, Norio (1996). "The Ecstasy of Auto-machines". In Bouhours, Jean-Michel (ed.). L'art du mouvement: Collection cinématographique du Musée national d'art moderne, 1919–1996 (in French). Centre Georges Pompidou. ISBN978-2858509027.
^ abDahan, Yaron (4 June 2015). "Ghosts of Time and Light: The Experimental Cinema of Ito Takashi". MUBI. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
^ abcdMichael, Chris (1 April 2010). "Flatpack film festival turns spotlight on Takashi Ito". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
spacy, film, confused, with, spacy, spacy, スペイシー, 1981, japanese, experimental, short, film, directed, takashi, film, consists, continuous, still, photographs, gymnasium, using, stop, motion, technique, camera, appears, move, throughout, space, into, photograp. Not to be confused with spaCy Spacy スペイシー is a 1981 Japanese experimental short film directed by Takashi Ito 1 The film consists of 700 continuous 16 mm still photographs of a gymnasium 1 using a stop motion technique the camera appears to move throughout the space and into photographs of the gymnasium itself that are displayed across multiple easels creating a seemingly endless recursive visual effect 2 3 SpacyTitle cardDirected byTakashi ItoRelease date1981 1981 Running time10 minutesCountryJapanIn 1995 the Centre Pompidou in Paris France purchased Spacy for its film collection 1 Contents 1 Synopsis 2 Background and production 3 Release and reception 3 1 Retrospective assessments 4 Home media 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksSynopsis Edit A frame from Spacy in a gymnasium stand multiple easels displaying photos of the gymnasium in which they are standing in an example of visual recursion Spacy takes place entirely inside a gymnasium empty except for several easels which are positioned around the room On each of the easels is a photograph of the gymnasium itself Through the use of a stop motion technique the camera appears to glide throughout the location in varying patterns repeatedly entering into the photographs on the easels in a seemingly infinite effect The Guardian s Chris Michael wrote that in Spacy the viewer appears to be taking a roller coaster through an endless series of gyms forward left right down through the floor with increasing speed in a recursive world that seems to branch into a vast yet self repeating space 3 At the end of the film the camera comes to a stop at an easel displaying a self portrait photograph of Ito with a camera 4 Background and production EditIto directed Spacy while a student at the Kyushu Institute of Design in Fukuoka Japan Prior to creating Spacy Ito attended an exhibition at which he viewed the 1975 experimental short Atman directed by Toshio Matsumoto 5 6 Ito was influenced by Atman to create an 8 mm film titled Noh 1977 which was then followed by a trilogy of 8 mm films Movement 1978 Movement 2 1979 and Movement 3 1980 the third of which he described as a prototype for Spacy 6 To Ito s surprise Matsumoto came to work at the Kyushu Institute of Design prompting Ito to abandon plans to get an immediate job and instead stay enrolled at the school 7 Matsumoto served as a mentor for Ito offering guidance during the production of Spacy and Ito later stated that If Toshio Matsumoto hadn t come to our university I don t think Spacy would have been born 7 Ito s first film shot in 16 mm 6 7 Spacy is composed of 700 still photographs of the gymnasium in which it is set which all together in the finished film create the illusion of continuous movement 1 8 4 Release and reception EditIn 1982 Spacy screened at the Hyōgo Prefectural Museum of Art in Japan and the Musee d Art Moderne de Paris in France 6 The following year it was shown at the Hong Kong International Film Festival as well as at the Museum of Modern Art Toyama 6 In 1984 the film screened at the Edinburgh International Film Festival 6 Spacy makes you break out in sweat just by shooting a safe peaceful gymnasium Japanese playwright Koharu Kisaragi 3 The film was met with considerable applause when it was screened at Osnabruck University in West Germany in 1984 9 It was later shown at the University of Wurzburg reportedly attracting a standing room crowd due to positive word of mouth from students who attended the Osnabruck screening 9 According to experimental filmmaker Nobuhiro Kawanaka after the Wurzburg screening a faculty member passed a hat around the audience that eventually returned filled with a mountain of banknotes and coins 3 9 Retrospective assessments Edit According to Catherine Munroe Hotes of Midnight Eye critics have described Spacy as a cinematic roller coaster 10 Hotes herself wrote that the film transforms the ordinary architecture of the interior of a gymnasium into an extraordinary journey through space and time 10 Following its screening at the 61st International Short Film Festival in Oberhausen Germany in 2015 writer Yaron Dahan of Mubi likened Spacy to a playful basketball game Takashi s game begins following the filmic rules before evolving quickly into one of inventiveness and surprise The camera moves along invisible geometric patterns not unlike the lines which define the game of basketball and the spectacle of space is reinvented 2 In 2020 author Julian Ross wrote that Spacy like Atman utilizes still animation techniques in order to draw attention to film projection as the quick succession of photographs Spacy according to Ross refined this technique to dynamic perfection 11 Home media EditSpacy was released on DVD in 2009 packaged along with 19 of Ito s other films as part of the two disc set Takashi Ito Film Anthology 10 12 The DVD includes behind the scenes images of notebooks and photos used in Spacy s production 10 See also EditDroste effect an effect in visual art of a picture recursively appearing within itselfReferences Edit a b c d Nishijima Norio 1996 The Ecstasy of Auto machines In Bouhours Jean Michel ed L art du mouvement Collection cinematographique du Musee national d art moderne 1919 1996 in French Centre Georges Pompidou ISBN 978 2858509027 a b Dahan Yaron 4 June 2015 Ghosts of Time and Light The Experimental Cinema of Ito Takashi MUBI Retrieved 17 January 2023 a b c d Michael Chris 1 April 2010 Flatpack film festival turns spotlight on Takashi Ito The Guardian Retrieved 19 September 2022 a b Lippit Akira Mizuta 1991 Ex Cinema From a Theory of Experimental Film and Video University of California Press p 7 ISBN 978 0520274129 Takashi Ito Profile ImageForum co jp in Japanese Archived from the original on 16 January 2023 Retrieved 19 January 2023 a b c d e f 伊藤高志 フィルモグラフィー Takashi Ito Filmography ImageForum co jp in Japanese Archived from the original on 16 January 2023 Retrieved 15 January 2023 a b c Nagasawa Remi Ito Takashi 5 January 2010 実験映像作家 伊藤高志 インタビュー HMV amp Books Online in Japanese Retrieved 19 January 2023 C Magazine C Magazine No 12 19 C The Visual Arts Foundation 1987 p 66 a b c Kawanaka Nobuhiro The Wonder of Takashi Ito s Land ImageForum co jp in Japanese Translated by Hayashi Sharon Retrieved 17 January 2023 a b c d Hotes Catherine Munroe 10 August 2010 Takashi Ito s Film Works Midnight Eye Retrieved 17 January 2023 Fujiki Hideaki Phillips Alastair eds 2020 The Japanese Cinema Book British Film Institute p 301 ISBN 978 1 8445 7678 4 Takashi Ito Film Anthology DVD British Film Institute BFI Retrieved 17 January 2023 External links EditSpacy at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Spacy film amp oldid 1138349833, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
