Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. (SMEJ) has announced the launch of their new “Art × Entertainment” project, which aims to expand the appreciation of art in previously unexplored directions, honor unique talents, and create a platform for the artistic essences of key contemporary artists. Through this project, SMEJ aims to cultivate an environment where art can thrive and explore uncharted territories, resulting in a vibrant intersection of art and entertainment. The inaugural exhibition, entitled "SHIGETO KOYAMA CCMS experiment OBAKE," will be held in New York City at NowHere (40 Wooster Street, First Floor) from November 9th to November 22nd, 2023.

In a rare, intimate opportunity, the renowned Koyama (HEROMAN, Rebuild of Evangelion, Kill la Kill, Gundam Reconguista in G, and Promare) will present a range of work from his critically acclaimed animated projects and expound on the creative processes at their genesis, though to him this is, “Not an ‘exhibition’ but an ‘experiment.’” Through this experiment, SMEJ aims to convey new frontiers of anime to a wider audience, free from the constraints of the traditional boundaries of contemporary art. The goal is to bring new perspectives and value to the realm of "anime."

Mr. Koyama’s impressive creative scope includes character design for anime, manga, games, and figures. His contributions span various roles, such as concept, color design, and art direction. Simultaneously, his creations transcend the boundaries of animation and offer insights into the values of art and design. Mr. Koyama's artistic approach to animation showcases that anime is not merely entertainment or limited to children's media, but a world of art unto itself.

“This exhibition is not meant to showcase my individual achievements; instead, it’s an experimental endeavor to showcase the collective collaborations with various creative talents.” - Shigeto Koyama

The exhibition begins with an emphasis on Mr. Koyama's distinctive multidisciplinary roles to provide a deeper understanding of animated works as "mass-produced products born from collaborative efforts,” underscoring the unique humanity involved in its creation. Mr. Koyama explains, “I would like to showcase various facets of the role of a ‘designer’ in animation. I hope to convey the more intriguing aspects of ‘animation production’ and ‘design’ in a comprehensible manner.”

CCMS, Mr. Koyama’s creative unit elevates their anime through creative thinking and expression. The latter half sheds light on this collective, allowing visitors to savor their innovative thinking and methods. “The best way to describe the works of CCMS would be… ‘incomprehensible,’” he says. “Since I cannot find the word to describe our work, it’d probably be faster for you to see it to understand.” Through this experiment, we aspire to share the allure of animation and its new value with a broader audience, but also to expand the realm of its expression and possibilities.

Mr. Koyama will also host a pair of talks at the gallery. The first will be on Saturday, November 11, from 2pm to 4pm EST and will be free. The second will be ticketed, and held on Monday, November 20, from 6pm to 8pm EST. More information can be found here.