Why did you name it HEKTOR?

Jurg: I have to say that I made this machine together with my friends. Therefore, this work follows collaboration with them. I discussed the name of this machine with them, “what is the good name that expresses this machine at a word?”

What was the reason for drawing by machine?

Alex: It is the same thing as architects, although you are able to draw by hand you use a plotter machine.

Jurg: But it is slower than drawing by hand 🙂 All the same, one thing that can be said is that the process of drawing is shown in an interesting way; in fact a streamline during design appears on the surface.

Alex: Moreover, this machine has some resemblance to a laser printer and to use technology is quite interesting. Also, many graphic designers make very clear works, which corresponds with recent advancements in technology. However, we don’t think that clear necessarily equals good. In fact, we regard such trends as quite boring.

What reaction did the audience have with the installation?

Jurg: Very good. Yesterday a great number of people came and enjoyed it though there were several problems.

How about countries other than Japan?

Jurg: It is always different, but people respond positively.

Is there any relation with graffiti?

Alex: Nothing special. The only thing in common is to use a spray can. I do drawing by a pen. That’s all.

Jurg: It is not street art, so we are different from graffiti artists. We make pieces mainly on media.

What’s on the horizon?

Alex: First of all, a Web site for “Field Trip”.

As they say, thanks to the popularization of computers and graphic software, everybody can make pieces that have an all-alike texture. It’s true that there are many pieces, which are inorganic in some way and have a clean impression. They use technology through their own interpretation, fusing them with analog things or mediating not only digital processing but also the physical movement of drawing by computer. This enables them to make up more unique pieces. Moreover, not only the finished piece but also the process is incorporated in the piece itself which make audience’s experience rich.

For example, if this machine is set anywhere in this world and there is a network, it can be thought that graffiti of their Field Trip is performed in real time. The possibilities go far beyond what I can imagine and HEKTOR has an appeal whose various usages I can’t fully comprehend.

Furthermore, they are in other various projects. Especially, “scrollable-landscape“, which is also a project on the Web. It is interesting and anyone can participate in it, so those who are interested should view it.

Exhibition by HEKTOR with Field Trip
Date: April 14th – 16th, 2006
Open: 12:00 – 20:00
Place: Gallery Information
Address: 2F mYwaY, 1-9-17 Toun Koto-ku, Tokyo
Tel: +81 (0)3 3532 1901
http://www.bytrico.com/info/