Tokyo subway tunnel as zoetrope

[Thomas Lamarre]

Hi Markus,

I wanted to mention that I had written something related to this.  Although
the 'animation-by-train' on the Narita Express is very limited in comparison
with this example, it does something similar in terms of the relation
between image and spectator.

I used this notion of 'animation-by-train' in order to frame a discussion of
how the layering of images in certain kinds of anime builds on the effect of
induced motion.  This implies a very distinctive relation between image and
spectator, and also between art and technology.  Or at least that was my
argument.  See Japan Forum 14:2 (2002).

I look forward to your take on this,

Tom

> I meant to write about this one. It's quite a spectacle, especially if you
> aren't expecting it. The first time I went by there with my 5 year-old son, he
> just about freaked out!
> 
> Markus
> 
> 
> Quoting Jason Gray <loaded_films at yahoo.co.jp>:
> 
>> With talk of high-tech mobile cinema, I remembered I had
>> been meaning to mention an interesting low-tech invention
>> which has turned a section of Tokyo's Ginza subway line
>> into a kind of zoetrope, or phenakistiscope. As the
>> Shibuya-bound subway travels between Tameike-Sanno and
>> Akasaka-Mitsuke stations, a poster-sized moving image
>> becomes visible outside the window for about ten seconds.
>> A natural shutter effect is created by the train passing
>> still image "frames" with the appropriate gap between. The
>> images look to be printed on special material to reflect
>> the light given off by the inside of the subway car,
>> creating an almost video-like appearance.
>> 
>> Of course the purpose has been advertising of products,
>> but it would be interesting to have filmmakers come up
>> with (very) short films that would screen in the tunnel.
>> Now, if only there weren't so many bodies in the way, you
>> could really enjoy it.
>> 
>> jg
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
>