Kei Oyama Animation

The projections are being displayed simultaneously, since they represent lives in neighboring apartments. In them we see either one or two characters living in isolation, seemingly never leaving their rooms or in one case, a “hikikomori” boy who literally does not leave his room. The beastly, pig-like people are naked and don’t speak, but emit animal, hyperventilating sounds. There are three degrees of socialization in the rooms and the less social the circumstance in the room the more flies are buzzing around the room.

In these works, executed in watery colors, Oyama comments on how society has allowed a destructive lack of communication between the closest of neighbors. The soundtrack, which adds a nearly comical dimension to the experience, can be listened to collectively or individually through headphones.

One of Oyama’s films was shown in the alternative films competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005. He’s coming back to “ASK? Space Kimura” with another film very soon. If you miss him this time around, then keep an eye out for him.