Eggy



Duration

This film was only available during the Computer Baroque online exhibition, which ran from 14 April-14 July 2009.


Credits

A film by Yoichiro Kawaguchi
Sound Masaomi Kikuchi
Computer operated by ShinJi Sasada, Ayumu Fukase, Toshinori Takata
Special cooperation Nippon Electronics College, New Video System Research Association


Synopsis

The Eggy Robot project aims to synthesize a robot of which artistic appearance and emergent behaviours make us feel and imagine the emergence of primeval organisms.


Programme Notes

Of all the computer animators that pursued the goal of wild, virtual exotica, none could equal the overwhelming, needlepoint visual intensity of Kawaguchi’s work. One of the world’s leading researchers into 'blobby organic modelling, he depicted a world composed of molten, shape-shifting organs without a body.


Biography

Kawaguchi has been working on Computer Graphics since 1975, and has been recognized as a pioneer and a world-wide authority of CGI for his unique style of using his 'GROWTH Model'. 'GROWTH Model' is a self-organising method to develop one's formative algorithm of a complex life form. As the art or a time progression, a program generates a form and this form is allowed to grow systematically according to a set formula.

Kawaguchi was awarded the Distinction Award for Animation, Ars Electronica, Linz, Austria for Eggy in 1992. He has exhibited at Japan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, 1995, as a representative of Japan. He has been Professor of the University of Tokyo since 1998. He continues to be interested in inter-generating science and beauty from the emergence of knowledge, space, and tradition.

External links