Shigeto Koyama CCMS Experiment Obake

Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. (SMEJ) is launching their new “Art × Entertainment” project, which aims to expand the appreciation of art in previously unexplored directions, honor unique talents, and create a platform for the artistic essences of key contemporary artists with its inaugural exhibition, “SHIGETO KOYAMA CCMS experiment OBAKE.” It will be held at NowHere (40 Wooster Street, First Floor) from November 9th to November 22nd, 2023. Through this project, SMEJ aims to cultivate an environment where art can thrive and explore uncharted territories, resulting in a vibrant intersection of art and entertainment.

In this free exhibition, Koyama (Big Hero 6, HEROMAN, Rebuild of Evangelion, Kill la Kill, Gundam Reconguista in G, and Promare) will present a range of work from his animated projects and expound on the creative processes at their genesis. The goal is to bring new perspectives and value to the realm of “anime.” As the main artist, Mr. Koyama has been actively engaged in a wide range of fields, including character design for anime, manga, games, and figures. His contributions span various roles, such as world-building, color design, and cinematography. Simultaneously, his creations transcend the boundaries of animation and offer insights into the values of art and design. Koyama’s approach to animation incorporates an artistic aspect, showcasing that anime is not merely entertainment or limited to children’s media, but a world of art unto itself. CCMS, Koyama’s art collective elevates their anime through creative thinking and expression. Through this exhibition, Koyama and CCMS aim to convey new frontiers of anime to a wider audience, free from the constraints of the traditional boundaries of contemporary art.

The first section of the exhibition emphasizes Koyama’s distinctive multidisciplinary activities and the “influence of art.” The primary purpose is to provide a deeper understanding of animation works as “mass-produced products born from collaborative efforts,” underscoring the unique human effort involved in its creation. The latter half sheds light on CCMS, allowing visitors to savor their innovative thinking and methods. Through this exhibition, we aspire to not only share the allure of animation and its new value with a broader audience but also to expand the realm of expression and possibilities.