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The KYOTOGRAPHIE International Photography Festival, an annual event held in Kyoto, has marked its 10th anniversary in 2022. This year’s theme, “One,” signifies unifying various forms of interpersonal communication that became severed in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and draws inspiration from the Buddhist saying, “One is Ten.” The Festival attracted over 200,000 people, with many visiting exhibition venues set up across Kyoto.
Fujifilm’s FP-Z8000 was used in the 10th KYOTOGRAPHIE in its milestone exhibition. One of the festival’s main exhibitions titled “10/10 Celebrating Contemporary Japanese Women Photographers” used the FP-Z8000 for projecting videos by Mayumi Hosokura and Ai Iwane at the HOSOO Gallery, and collaboration video works by Isabel Munoz, Min Tanaka and Genbei Yamaguchi at the Kondaya Genbei Kurogura. We asked KYOTOGRAPHIE’s co-founder and co-director Yusuke Nakanishi on why Fujifilm’s projector was chosen for the event and the potential of visual display unlocked by the advanced specifications of FP-Z8000.
Background：“KYOTOGRAPHIE is a collaboration between cutting-edge technology and traditional craftsmanship”
Tell us about the importance of video exhibits in a photography festival.
One of the reasons for starting the KYOTOGRAPHIE was to “democratize arts.” Rather than displaying artworks at an art museum, we wanted to take artworks to the streets and display them at places that would not ordinarily display artworks. This way, I hope those who would not normally visit art museums and galleries can also enjoy arts. In KYOTOGRAPHIE, visitors are shown not only artworks but also cutting edge technologies and traditional craftsmanship at the same time. It is not a festival that plainly displays photographs. This is a festival that continues to explore various potentials of photography. Visual projection is an important element in showcasing photographic potentials. We perceive video to be a continuation of photographic frames, and showcase a number of video works and installations. In this sense, a projector is a crucial piece of equipment.
Reason for selection：“A projector with a movable lens is an incredible invention”
Why did you choose FP-Z8000?
In KYOTOGRAPHIE, there are many situations where we want to project a large image in limited space. This is when the Z8000 performs exceptionally well. We often use traditional Japanese houses as an exhibition venue. The Z8000 can be set up even in a tiny Tokonoma alcove that measures as small as 90cm to project images to fill the alcove space. The projector has an impressively wide lens-shift range, and can be placed straight on the floor rather than requiring a raised platform. The compact size of the main body makes it easy to install without temporary installation work, which is the perfect specification for KYOTOGRAPHIE. The biggest appeal of this projector is its movable lens. That means there is little constraint in how the main unit is placed, allowing maximum space for visitors. We tried a three-wall projection mapping with three Z8000 units this time, and were able to produce spatial presentation of amazing quality. A projector with a movable lens is an incredible invention.
Benefits：“Great color presentation and silent operation. All artists are impressed”
What benefits did you find after using Z8000 in the actual exhibition?
It is an ultra-short-throw projector capable of producing maximum projection at limited space as well as impressive colors. Its color reproducibility is incredible. Artists were stunned and impressed to see the level of black depth. The quality of images mapped to three walls was so powerful. There is also hardly any noise coming out of the projector. This noise-less performance was a tremendous help. For example, if visual arts by ten artists are to be showcased in the same space, noise from the exhibit by one artist could ruin the experience. Projectors must be silent so that visitors can concentrate on exhibits.
Future outlook：“We are eager to embrace new formats”
What’s next for KYOTOGRAPHIE?
This projector can broaden the potential of our exhibitions. More and more people are taking pictures on their smartphone, producing images in the portrait orientation. There may be situations where we need to project a portrait image at full size, but, with this projector, all we need to do is to tilt the lens. KYOTOGRAPHIE is constantly experimenting on various possibilities for photography and videography. We are eager to embrace new formats.
