"I use programming not as an extension of my hands, but as an extension of my brain. Because I don't control everything on a computer, I can't show the finished work in storyboards beforehand, so it's difficult to explain," says media artist Norimichi Hirakawa with a wry smile.

Hirakawa participated in MEDIA AMBITION TOKYO 2016, which opened on February 26, with his audiovisual installation "the view [for LEXU]," a collaboration with Lexus. At Tokyo City View on the 52nd floor of Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills, a nonstop video stream was playing on two walls alongside the Lexus LF-LC. Participating in the exhibition was the LC500 luxury coupe, unveiled in January of this year, and with the attention it generated, many visitors lingered in this cutting-edge space for long periods from the first day, demonstrating the growing familiarity of media art. This piece, based on a work he presented at the Milano Salone in 2007, also in collaboration with Lexus, was previously shown in Milan but never in Japan. It has been reprogrammed to reflect technological advances over the past eight years. While the original was an interactive proposal that responded to surrounding movements, this time the interactive element has been eliminated, and the imagery is expressed purely through computer calculations, without the use of data. Based on a horizon motif, endless graphics evoking buildings, mountains, and rivers are displayed. In response to the nasty question, "Can computer programming be considered art?" Hirakawa's answer is clear: "I'm more interested in the relationship between art and science than in the fields of technology and science." Compared to eight years ago, computer performance has literally evolved by orders of magnitude. This increased processing power is expressed in the form of video, embodying the MAT event concept of concentrating technological advances on display as art. "White Rain for LEXUS," held at Intersect by Lexus Tokyo, also visualizes the question of how technological advances will affect the future of the car-driven society through spatial expression. This collaboration with Takahiro Matsuo, known for his light installations, features a newly developed holographic display. Visitors interact with the newly developed holographic display, which creates an artificial rain scene with 24 LED lights and 50 acrylic poles surrounding the body of a Lexus GSF. The light reflects off the car's body, interacting with the hologram to create changes through interaction with people. This work is typical of Matsuo, who has collaborated with Bulgari and created interactive art for various commercial spaces. "The flow of light is never calculated to recreate the same scene; it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For me, it's not just technology that matters; it's the human element that matters. In that respect, the car is an interesting medium," Matsuo said of his collaboration with Lexus. For Lexus, which promotes the design concept of "Elfinesse," MAT seems like a good place to experiment with cutting-edge designs for next-generation luxury.
【Event Information】
MEDIA AMBITION TOKYO 2016
■Roppongi Venue
Roppongi Hills, 52nd Floor, Tokyo City View
Address: 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
<Exhibition>
Dates: February 7th to March 21st
Time: Monday to Thursday, Sunday, and public holidays 10:00 to 22:00
Admission Fee: 1,800 yen on the day; 1,500 yen in advance (Tokyo City View admission fee)
■Aoyama Venue
Intersect by Lexus
Address: 4-21-26 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Dates: February 8th to March 21st
Time: 11:00 to 22:00
Free admission
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Text: Noda Tatsuya