VJ Motordrive

Is VJ culture making an impact on club design?
Yes. I think clubs are changing into the space design which is more conscious of sight by the existence of VJs whether there is a visual or not.

Are owners incorporating the technology and space to allow VJs a decent set up?
New clubs have good facilities of VJs have been increasing, but I haven't heard that old clubs renovate or increase the facilities for VJs a lot. Instead of that, cafes and big restaurants are often provided gorgeous sets when people have some events.

Are clubs and bars attractive to VJs as performance spaces?
I think clubs are the places where we are allowed to play more experimental shows, compared to the ones that are held at normal event spaces or commercial spaces.
Clubs are very attractive places for VJs who have a lot of opportunities to try the quite new expressions and technologies.

What is (or what would be) the ideal setup for a VJ entering a club?
A specious VJ booth and a big screen which is easy to see are.

What are the best clubs to perform in from a VJ perspective (in terms of layout and/or technology)?
The places that are set up a lot of big screens and have the complete wired environmental to the booth. Or the places that have nothing and we can create freely like a white cube.

Is VJ culture a worldwide phenomenon? Are there regional differences in style / demand / popularity?
Yes, it is. It seems that most of Japanese VJ's visuals are detailed and more commercial and foreign VJs often play artistic performances made a point of their idea and originality.

Who is pushing the scene forward (performers, collectives, software producers / technology manufacturers)?
Recently software has been developed actively in Europe. In the hardware, Roland is still good. I really feel that it supports VJs actively as well as producing products.


What makes an excellent VJ set?
To prepare special videos matched certain music genre.
To design so that we can combine with a variety of mix and each videos. To fit the motion to the video with considering the atmosphere and rhythm of music. To prepare various kinds of motions.

Who's equipment do you use?
All the equipments are mine.

Who's work do you admire most?
I really admire the performance of Carsten Nicolai lately. In Japan, I admire "studio WoW" (www.w0w.co.jp). Especially Mamoru Kano, belongs to WoW and Miraihazugakosaku (www.zugakousaku.com), made the work by using Quarts Composer and I think his work has a possibility.

What work/projects have you done recently?
Of course I played as a club VJ, and besides I made an official PV of "DESIGNING@FUKUOKA JAPAN" and "MOTION CI" of TV station this year. In addition to holding VJ workshop in Apple Store FUKUOKA every month, I took part in VJ SUMMIT #1,2 that was held in Apple Store GINZA and talked about my work there.