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“In Real Life,” Stepping Out of the Game Field: Kiki Kudo’s Steady Life Vol.4
Kiki Kudo writes about her dual life in New York and Connecticut she started during the pandemic. This is the fourth installment of the series. -
Minimalism, Gamelan, Jazz and “Neo-Tokyo”; Behind the Eclectic Sound World of Pascal Bideau a.k.a Akusmi
Pascal Bideau, aka Akusmi, is a French-born, London-based composer/multi-instrumentalist. We asked Akusumi, whose first album “Fleeting Future” was released last year, what lies behind his sound world in which diverse elements intersect. -
Technological Co-Creation of AI and Improvisation — Shun Ishiwaka × Kei Matsumaru Special Talk, Part 2
What possibilities does AI bring to improvisation and performance? This is the second part of the special conversation between percussionist Shun Ishiwaka and saxophonist Kei Matsumaru, who held a session with AI that learned their performance at the Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media [YCAM] last June. -
Interview with Izuru Narushima, Director of the film Familia, and His Thoughts On the Film
The air is clear and the stars are beautiful in the winter night sky. It seems to reflect the feelings of us who have welcomed the new year. I wonder why. Although Izuru Narushima’s films are often chillingly serious, I feel that watching them with my family in the living room on a winter’s day could be a good idea. An interview with director Narushima, whose new film was just released. -
What Legendary Guitarist Randy Rhoads Left Behind: Director Andre Relis’ Message in Randy Rhoads: Reflections of a Guitar Icon
Randy Rhoads: Reflections of a Guitar Icon, a documentary film about the late guitarist, has been released exclusively in Japan to mark the 40th year since his departure. We spoke to the director, Andre Relis, who came to Japan to celebrate the film’s release. -
Technological Co-Creation between AI and Improvisation — Shun Ishiwaka × Kei Matsumaru Special Conversation, Part 1
What possibilities does AI bring to improvisation and performance? This is the first part of the conversation between percussionist Shun Ishiwaka and saxophonist Kei Matsumaru, who held a session with an AI that learned their own performance at the Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media [YCAM] last June. -
Eminent American Rap Photographer B+ on his Love for Hip Hop and Japanese Culture
B+, who has worked continuously as a photographer of American hip hop, opened in July the exhibition Tried by Twelve: photography by B+. We ask B+, who came to Tokyo for the exhibition, about the photos and his impressions of Japan. -
The “Tashinami” of Free Spirits Vol.11: Toshiko Taira, the Master of Bashofu, is Handing Down the Beauty of Okinawa
We explore the history and traditional importance of Okinawan bashofu (textile made of banana fiber) through living national treasure, Toshiko Taira, who has dedicated her life to its revival. -
The ‘Tashinami’ of Free Spirits Vol.10 Architect Hiroshi Nakamura’s New Masterpieces Embrace Infinite Prayer
The interview explores architect Hiroshi Nakamura’s plan and concept of the Shinpujuyo-sho and Seishin-sho at Toshogu Shrine in Ueno, Tokyo. -
“The Jomon” and Future Intellectuality as Considered by Fumito Takekura, author of “Reading Dogū”
Fumito Takekura, author of the bestseller 土偶を読む (Reading Dogū), which won both the Suntory Prize for Social Science and Humanities and the Jun Miura Prize, discusses the Jomon culture and contemporary social issues.