![2008 [12th] Japan Media Arts Festival Award-winning Works](/english/festival/images/h1_jusyousakuhin-en2008.gif "2008 [12th] Japan Media Arts Festival Award-winning Works")
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A dream of a sleeping horse. The image, which changes endlessly, conveys soft warmth like an embroidered picture book. Its characters are lovable and this is a well-balanced work with a sophisticated and edgy sensibility.
ARAI Chie
Born in 1971. Learned animation while working on anime productions in Tokyo, and is currently a freelancer. She creates animations and illustrations mainly using character drawing. She has also produced a lot of flip books.
I am very honored. Thank you very much. This animation is based on an image that I originally created for a picture book. It was fun having the sound created for it. This is a light work created with ideas and movements and not too much deep thought. I can honestly say I was surprised to learn I had received an award but I am very pleased and encouraged to be valued.
The embroidery in the pictures links with the images of embroidery, and leaves the viewer with a warm feeling. The impression is one of delicate embroidery. In the case of the short animations, the style of the entries can be divided into art, works for children, and short drama. Among these works, this one in particular seems to be created with a limited sensitivity, and to be designed for women. This is the only work of its kind. Did the artist do this unconsciously or have jury members played into the artist’s hands? In either case, it was undeniable that this work had a special presence compared to the other entries. We would very much like to see the next work of this artist.
What makes you create a work?
I can’t remember specifically…. I’ve liked drawing pictures since I was a child anyway. It is not limited to projected images, but I think I may have been influenced by music, dance, poems and handicrafts created by artists around the world.
What tools do you use the most at present?
Pencils, erasers, pens, animation paper, and Mac.
What do you place greatest value on in your work?
I can’t answer clearly…. Currently it may be movements and timing.
What personal concept runs through your creative activities?
I can’t think of anything in particular at present. It’s not a theme but I always think that I want to add a funny essence, or I’ll put it in even though I didn’t think of it.
When you create a work, in what way do you think of a presentation using technologies or media as a means to communicate?
I don’t understand what a presentation using technologies means but a tool that is capable of animating hundreds of pictures is indispensible. Thanks to technology, I produce animations every day. Regarding media, I think it’s the appreciation that there are a variety of media.
Could you name a person, a work, or an event that you have been most influenced by?
It is difficult to say what was the greatest. If I limit it to animations, I think it could be Fantasia by Walt Disney, which I saw when I was a junior-high student, and short animations of MTV, which I watched when I was a college student. (There were a lot, and they were spots in TV programs or promotion videos for music, so I can’t name the titles or who created them, but Bill PLYMPTON has had a great impact and I remember him).
What kind of work would you like to create in the future?
Regarding animations, I would like to take time to create them putting more thoughts on the screen.
What is the meaning or importance of creating for you?
A work that involves both pain and fun that I have no choice but to do once I’ve thought of it, and an action that makes me think hard and makes me exercise both my mind and body, perhaps.
