I came across a broadish space. There is a “Psycho Communicator System” by New Type Technology lab (Flanagan Agency) (Hachiya Kazuhiko, Taro Maeda, Hide Andrew, Kankanze Sorubeunmu), using full space by the whole wall faces. This is an experimental space where visitors can take part in. The artwork inspired by the last scene of Gundam when children brought out their unknown skill pursuits the possibility of remote communication between human beings. The theme seemed to be a new generation called “New Type” grown up in the universe, which was drawn in the later half in Gundam.

New Type Technology lab., “Psycho Communicator System”, 2005

Looking at the wall face again, I find the picture work “If There is a Planet” by Takashi Yasumura. This is an expression consciously regarding the earth surface as a “planet”. The world of Gundam has distinction between people grown up in the earth and people grown up in the space colony without knowing the earth. Does human being eternally think of the distinction?

Takashi Yasumura, “If This is a Planet”

“Space Camp Site” (Shinoda Tarou) is a work which cultivates plants by LED in egg-shaped clear balloon. This is also the idea from the process that people in the space colony in the Gundam world carry plants to Space. Real moss and fern are growing inside. It indicates future technology.

Shinoda Tarou, “Space Camp Site”, 2005

You can enjoy total 22 artworks like this, though I cannot introduce all here.

Lastly, Yoshizaki told me about highlight of this exhibition. “Of course, those who know about Gandum well can enjoy and feel the elements in each artwork, but also for those who don’t know about Gundam well, this exhibition provides high quality as a contemporary art exhibition with the universal theme, “War”, “Evolution”, “Life”.

I felt all the same. In addition, I think it is wonderful that “Gundam”, would venture to say just an animation for children, inspired a lot of people’s life and creators in an infinite number of fields such as pictures, design, calligraphy, and that as a result, such a large-scaled exhibition became possible. It definitely shows a possibility of art. This exhibition must be one of the most important Japanese contemporary art’s event in this century. It is still held at Museum of Contemporary Art, Sapporo till September 24th. Don’t miss it.

Gundam Generating Futures: Contemporary Art
Date: August 6th – September 24th, 2006
Open: 9:45 – 17:00 (Friday till 20:00)
Place: Sapporo Art Museum
Address: 2-75 Geijutsunomori, Minami-ku, Sapporo
Tel: +81 (0)11 592 5111
https://www.gundam-exhibition.jp