[Inter BEE 2014] The Projection Mapping Association of Japan debuts public exhibit of projection map works at InterBEE to boost acceptance and raise popularity of projection mapping (“Experienced the Height of Popularity”)

The Projection Mapping Association of Japan (PMAJ), a general foundation, has launched its first-ever public exhibit of projection mapping at InterBEE 2014.
Michiyuki Ishita, Representative Director of the Association, says the following about projection mapping.
"This is a video technique that synchronizes actual things (real) with images (virtual), and instead of simply projecting video or computer graphics (CG) on a flat surface like a screen, a projector is used to project images onto 3D objects such as buildings or furniture, or onto irregular surfaces. Then the target object that functions as a screen becomes an element of the image. The object information and flat surface information are unified so that the projected image is made to exactly fit the physical object. This way, when the image moves or changes, the target object appears to move, deform, or independently emit light. It is a fantastic visual expression medium, with elements of optical illusions."(Mr. Ishita)

■ Also contributing to earthquake reconstruction
Mr. Ishita is a creative person who once worked as a VJ (video jockey) at nightclubs, later also working as a space designer. He is also putting efforts into reconstruction assistance after the Great East Japan Earthquake. For example, on March 23, 2012, he used the facilities of the Higashi-Matsushima Hamaichi elementary school in Miyagi Prefecture, which was forced to shut its doors forever at the end of March as a consequence of the earthquake, closing the curtain on a 139-year history. Here, he conducted an outdoor mapping project using the school building.
Mr. Ishita says his “These activities are on a nearly volunteer basis, but giving hope and dreams to children in the affected areas is important work, and the mapping is significant because it is a basic, unsung kind of project in this way. I want to continue disaster relief by mapping as my life work.” Mr. Ishita has also been quite active in giving lectures and workshops on projection mapping at Digital Hollywood in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, where he is committed to educating young creative people while also expanding the market base for mapping.

■ Demo screening of Media Arts Zushi 2014 winners
PMAJ had its first InterBEE booth this year for the purpose of spreading the word about mapping and raising awareness. Representative Director Mr. Ishita says “In broadcasting, mapping has been incorporated within TV shows, and we are seeing more and more mapping events related to TV stations. At InterBEE, they screened demo reels from the mapping works that were showcased at the Art Zushi 2014 Projection Mapping Festival Media Zushi 2014 held in Zushi city in Kanagawa prefecture, which is a festival that has been held every year since 2010 with the Association as a main host. An example of this mapping contest’s prizewinning work was demonstrated with the Zushi elementary school miniature object that became the projection object in Media Tsuz Zushi. The mapping work was actually projected there on the miniature building,” he explains.
Mr. Taro Motofuji, a photographer who explained mapping to visitors at the PMAJ booth, says "Perhaps because ours was the only booth at the exhibition that was actually doing mapping, we had a huge number of visitors every day." Filmmaker Mr. Yui Uemura, who also worked at the booth explaining mapping, said, "Once again we experienced how popular mapping has become. A lot of people were interested."

(※ This is a report on the exhibits at InterBEE 2014, which was held on November 19th - 21st, 2014, at Tokyo’s Makuhari Messe)