Previous Cinématic Cafés and Their Themes
2024
10 February 13:30-15:00 Subject: Care
After introducing films, literature, architecture, artworks, etc., in a striking way which depicts various forms of ‘care’ and people who care and whom to be cared for with their standpoint and that have recently been the topic according to art and literature, everyone is invited to discuss their meaning in a relaxed atmosphere.
2023
23 December 18:30-20:00 Subject: Boundary
A ‘boundary’ and ‘border’ separate or divide something from something else. However, when seen through artworks, it is not only that but also something that can be seen because it is on a boundary that transcends the boundary and conversely shows a connection. There is a visible border and an invisible one too. After introducing films, literature, architecture, artworks, etc. which feature Border(lines) impressively, we will discuss and reflect on the atmosphere created by the works.
25 November 13:30-15:00 Subject: Roads
Roads or paths may be simply a passage to advance, but when it comes to the depiction in artworks, there are many different things: something that one connects to another, something to a destination, something that is not easy to follow, or something as an act to reach something. After introducing films, literature, architecture, artworks, etc. feature Roads impressively, we will discuss and reflect on the atmosphere created by the works.
7 October 13:30-15:00 Subject: Night
After introducing films, literature, architecture, artworks, etc. on what they take of Night, we will discuss and reflect on the atmosphere created by the works.
16 September 13:30-15:00 Subject: 1999
The year 1999, when the bubble economy was over and the Japanese economy was on a gradual downward trajectory, was four years after the Sarin gas attack on the underground in Tokyo by a cult, the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the release of the TV animation Neon Genesis Evangelion and the Ghost in the Shell theatrical version, That year was also a year before the Fear Problem of 2000, when computers were said to malfunction, and it was supposed to be July of that year of Nostradamus’ Great Prophecy. It was also two years before the 911 NYC attacks in the USA.
After introducing films, literature, architecture, artworks, etc. came out around 1999 or depicting that period, we will discuss and reflect on the atmosphere created by the works and what kind of time period it was.
26 August 13:30-15:00 Subject: Cooking
After introducing films, literature, architecture, artworks, etc., that depict ‘cooking’ in a fantastic way, we will casually discuss them. (The discussion may cover the meaning, taste and cooking recipes (as depicted in the works), but not too much into the form of a gourmet approach. (capacity of 10 people)
22 July 13:30-15:00 Subject: Summer, what you can see, hear and feel only because it’s summertime…
After introducing films, literature, music, architecture and works of art that depict ‘what you can see, hear and feel only because it’s summer, we will discuss its meaning in a relaxed atmosphere. No conclusions are required, just go with the flow. People who just want to listen are also welcome. Everyone is welcome, regardless of expertise. (capacity of 10 people)
24 June 18:30-20:00 Subject: Walking
After introducing films, literature, music, architecture and works of art that depict ‘walking’ strikingly, we will discuss its meaning in a relaxed atmosphere. No conclusions are required, just go with the flow. People who just want to listen are also welcome. Everyone is welcome, regardless of expertise. (capacity of 10 people)
13 May 13:30-15:00 Subject: Barcelona and Catalunya
Catalonia and its capital Barcelona, where the works of Antoni Gaudí and Juan Miró are relevant and well-known. But there are numerous other people and works of art in this historic city that have nurtured an outstanding culture. In this session, we will introduce some of the films, literature, architecture and artworks that have been made in and represented Barcelona and Catalonia, and then discuss the fabulousness and spell of the place in an informal way with some guests from Barcelona. No conclusions are required, just go with the flow… those who just want to listen are welcome. (capacity of 15 people)
29 April 13:30-15:00 Subject: on White including a metaphor
After introducing films, literature, music, architecture and works of art that depict ‘white’ strikingly as a colour (colourless) or as a metaphor (blank, clean, tabula rasa、etc.), we will discuss its meaning in a relaxed atmosphere. No conclusions are required, just go with the flow. People who just want to listen are also welcome. Everyone is welcome, regardless of expertise.
25 March 18:30-20:00 Subject: Square <as public space>
After an introduction to films, literature, music, architecture and artworks that depict the square as a public space strikingly, we will discuss the meaning of the word ‘square’ casually.
25 February 18:30-20:00 Subject: RED
28 January 14:00-15:30 Subject: Common
Reference examples, from left to right:” Sonny Boy” (2021) Shingo Natsume, “Drive My Car” (2021) Ryusuke Hamaguchi, “A Paradise Built in Hell” (2009) Rebecca Solnit, “FOODS” (1971) Gordon Matta-Clark
2022
26 December 14:00-15:30 Subject: Brightness
Reference examples, from left to right:” Bright Future” (2003) Kiyoshi Kurosawa, “Hikari No Machi (City of Light)” (2004) Inio Asano, “Bright Lights, Big City” (1984) Jay McInerney, “Arab World Institute” (1987) Jean Nouvel 26 November 14:00-15:30 Subject: Cloud
26 November 14:00-15:30 Subject: Clouds
Reference examples, from left to right:” CODA” (2021) Sian Heder, “The Place Promised in Our Early Days” (2004) Makoto Shinkai, “Floating Clouds” (1955) Mikio Naruse, “Chaogtu with Sarula” (2019) Rui Wang
17 September 14:00-15:30 Subject: Bridges
Reference examples, from left to right:” Sway” (2006) Mica Nishikawa, “Bridge of Reversible Destiny” (1973-89)Shusaku Arakawa and Madeline Gins, “Tokyo 2020 Olympic Stadium” (2013) Zaha Hadit, “Hashi (Bridge)” (2010) Osamu Hashimoto
23 July 14:00-15:30 Subject: Sleeping
Reference examples, from left to right:”The Maybe” (1995) Tilda Swinton with Cornella Parker, “Machi No Uede (over the city)” (2021)Rikiya Imaizumi, “Awakenings” (1973) Oliver Sacks, “Sleeping Man” (1996) Kōhei Oguri
4 June 19:00-20:30 Subject: Rain
Reference examples, from left to right:” Rashomon” (1950) Akira Kurosawa, “Amewomatsu (Waiting for the Rain” (2020)Minami, “The Grandmaster” (2013) Wong Kar-wai, “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” (1964) Jacques Demy
25 April 19:00-20:30 Subject: Ukraine
Reference examples, from left to right:” Complicated Premonition” (1933) Kazimir Malevich, “Atlantis” (2020)Valentyn Vasyanovych, “Diary from an Invasion” (2020), Andreĭ Kurkov, “S.T.A.L.K.E.R.” (2007-2022) GSC Game World
14 March 19:00~20:30 Subject: Pandemic
Reference examples, from left to right:” Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” (1984) Hayao Miyazaki, “Salk Institute” (1959)Louis Kahn, “The Plague” (2020) Albert Camus, “Death in Venice” (1971) Luchino Visconti
2020
21 December 19:00~20:30 Subject: Various Christmas (on film, art and architecture)
05 October 19:00~20:30 Subject: On Mirror (on film, art and architecture)
10 August 19:00~20:30 Subject: Blue (on film, art and architecture)
15 June 19:00~20:30 Subject: On Journey 2: Space-time Travel (on film, art and architecture)
10 February 19:00~20:30 Subject: On Journey 1: Road Trip Film (experiencing on film, art and architecture)
27 January 19:00~20:30 Subject: Through the Window 2 (with screen or frame on film, art and architecture)
2019
16 December Subject: On Circle (on film, art and architecture)
18 November Subject: Through the Window… (on film, art and architecture)
28 October Subject: Seeing the Moon (on film, art and architecture)
23 September Subject: The Representation of Torres Blancas de Madrid
(The guest, Spanish photographer Ms. Ana Amado will represent the masterpiece building also featured in the film ‘The Limits of Control’ with her images.)