Seibu-en Amusement Park “Memory of Light” In keeping with the park’s retro Showa-era concept, we devised an original story and created a fantastical night-walk style work in which guests become the protagonist of the story, progressing through the park in search of the legendary “Tree of Wishes” while encountering five gods, and we were responsible for the overall direction as well as the mapping visuals throughout the park. Using shadow-puppet and ball visuals that are familiar to every Japanese person, we established the overall world view and translated it into mapping and interactive direction. For the mapping, in addition to the floor and walls, we also experimented with mapping onto tree bark for the first time. Mapping onto plants creates a magical experience, and it is one of the expressions I would like to develop on a larger scale in the future. Furthermore, in the interactive part, where shadow-puppet creatures created by the guests leap out, we turned it into a short show format and addressed the guests with spoken lines to encourage participation. By speaking directly to them, communication with the guests was created and the experience was enhanced; although it is a simple mechanism, I believe the combination with an outdoor experience produced a good effect. The final “Tree of Wishes” itself was inspired by a winter Tanabata. In bringing it to life, based on five months of durability requirements and various conditions, and with the help of our outstanding art staff, we were able to recreate it as closely as possible to the original image. To create this image, so that we could check the size and details whenever necessary, we used a simple 3D scan during the location scouting to scan the tree and simulate it on a computer, and had a spatial model created based on the data to help with the mapping simulation. A world and objects that existed only inside a monitor appeared before our eyes as tangible reality, and being able to share them with guests is the true appeal of these experiential shows and mapping works. Moreover, while using technology, it became an interesting work that outputs into the real world with a world view that somehow feels nostalgic. An experiential night walk requires comprehensive artistic elements, including concept development, story design, spatial design, lighting direction, and video direction including mapping. When I approach such works, the first thing I think about is the relationship and dialogue with the people who will watch them. Going forward, I will continue to make every effort and share my work so that I can create more pieces that allow for dialogue and experience, where images and reality intersect.

Exhibited work: Kojimachi Scenic View Period: Friday, October 27, 2017 – Sunday, October 29, 2017 Venue: Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation | Tokyo