2000 DVD-ROM + DVD-series: Introduction in Kyogen (No) theater, produced at
ZKM | Karlsruhe by TMC (Tokyo Media Connection) Tokyo and WASEDA University, Tokyo
Silver Award I.D. magazine 2001 by Jenn Shreve:
"On a darkened stage, a 600-year-old form of traditional Japanese theater is being performed. Kyogen, as it's called, uses highly stylized acting techniques to paint a portrait of the human experience. Predetermined gestures indicate such emotions as fear, surprise, anger and grief. But in the virtual auditorium of That's Kyogen-a DVD-ROM that will be used to teach the ancient method in schools-audience members do much more than simply watch.
Jurors lauded this aesthetically pleasing, educational project for its distillation of an ancient art form into easily understandable categories: scripts, acting methods and movement, characters. Clear, concise navigation gives each user total control over what information is presented and when, while the interface helpfully provides cross-references and suggests intuitive conceptual relationships. For example, when a user is watching a video presentation of a play, thumbnail-sized images of the characters appear on the side of the screen. These can be clicked on to reveal deeper layers of information about each character without interrupting the action on stage.
This project artfully explores the nonlinear potential of disc media, offering tutorials in both Japanese and English, and allows users to customize such options as subtitles. Video demos accompanied by the digital equivalent of a stage bill make for deeper communication of the philosophies and disciplines inherent in Kyogen."