Dentsu Lab Tokyo Management Office
At the Tokyo performance of Keiichiro Shibuya’s large-scale opera “Android Opera” featuring androids and an orchestra, a new visual expression that combines image generation using AI and sensing devices that read movements in real time will be unveiled.
Dentsu’s creative R&D organization “Dentsu Lab Tokyo”
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Dentsu Lab Tokyo, which practices solving social issues and developing new expressions using technology, will be held at Ebisu Garden Hall on Tuesday, June 18th.The concept and composition was created by musician Keiichiro Shibuya. , I will be in charge of directing the video for the first part, “Super Angels,” in “Android Opera,” a large-scale opera production starring android singers.
An angel statue inspired by the song “Super Angels” is visualized using two image generation AI networks. At the same time, the motion of the children’s hand songs (shuka = singing in chorus using hand signals in sign language) of the “White Hand Chorus NIPPON” was extracted using a uniquely developed sensing device. By interweaving these images with video in real time, we take a multifaceted approach to artistic expression using technology.
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/88502/37/resize/d88502-37-ba386823fc88bb66db24-0.jpg&s3=88502-37-b9abcca4b701846c9cf953f4deba1835-2700×1800.jpg]
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/88502/37/resize/d88502-37-cb1049b7e5798bab02af-0.jpg&s3=88502-37-d7cef4493dd30bacccc133f5f3e40294-3900×2600.jpg] What is “Android Opera” hosted by Keiichiro Shibuya?
The triumphant Tokyo performance of the android opera “MIRROR” composed and produced by Keiichiro Shibuya will be held on June 18th (Tuesday) at Ebisu Garden Hall. This work was performed last year at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, and is a large-scale theater featuring an android and an orchestra, 1200-year-old Buddhist music and shomyo, piano performed by Mr. Shibuya himself, electronic music, video, and lighting. the work. It was unveiled at the Dubai Expo in 2022, remade as a 70-minute piece the following year, and after its Paris premiere, this will be its Japan premiere. In addition, the first part of this performance will be an excerpt from “Super Angels,” a new opera created by children and androids that was commissioned by the New National Theater Tokyo and premiered in 2021. In addition to a children’s chorus by “White Hand Chorus NIPPON” and a piano and orchestra performance by Mr. Shibuya, there will also be an AI-based video by Yuma Kishi from Dentsu Lab Tokyo, and the children’s costumes will be a collaboration with HATRA. I am. This will be the first solo performance of Android Opera in Tokyo in six years since its premiere at Miraikan National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in 2018, and all eyes will be on the audience to see how it evolves after touring the world. A ceremonial space that celebrates and simulates the “after the end” will appear in Ebisu for one night only. Tickets for June 18th are sold out.
About Part 1 ‘SuperAngels’ excerts.
In the first part, ‘SuperAngels’ excerts., Dentsu Lab Tokyo, including artist Yuma Kishi, will be in charge of visual expression. The concept is “deconstruction of the image of an angel” that has become bleached in modern society.Using two image generation networks, a new image of an angel emerges on the screen.It also aims to create a new image of an angel on the screen. It is an inclusive choir that anyone can participate in, and has collaborated with “White Hand Chorus NIPPON”, which is made up of the “Sign Corps” who sing in sign language and the “Voice Corps” who sing by voice. Using a uniquely developed wearable sensing device, we extracted the hand-singing motions of the autograph corps in real time. By interweaving with video, we will challenge traditional opera art to create multifaceted and innovative expressions using technology.
[Image 3: https://prtimes.jp/i/88502/37/resize/d88502-37-568bad120910d6aab7b9-0.png&s3=88502-37-1cda9e9e040b0e3553c34602d77fd613-615×348.png ]
About our unique sensing device
Hardware: We have developed a wearable device that senses the spatial trajectory of hand singing inside the white gloves that are the symbol of “White Hand Chorus NIPPON.” In order to focus on the expression of hand singing, we have minimized the feeling of wearing the device. In addition, we are designing, designing, and developing costumes designed by the fashion brand HATRA for this opera to ensure aesthetics. Software: In order to realistically convey the images created by the rich expressions and powerful movements of hand singing, we have developed a unique filter that reflects the intonation of movements based on information such as speed and momentum in addition to position. Did. Through this system, we aim to create expressions that enhance the sense of unity between hand singing and video.
[Image 4: https://prtimes.jp/i/88502/37/resize/d88502-37-5ed61289ba35b1f50d1f-0.png&s3=88502-37-548818356e8483dd3d9d40aa241c413b-115×139.png ]
Performance overview
Performance name: Android Opera TOKYO – MIRROR/Super Angels excerpts. Date and time: June 18, 2024 (Tuesday) Doors open at 18:00,
Performance starts at 19:00 Venue: Ebisu Garden Hall (1-13 Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0062) Tickets: Sold out [Participating artists] Part 1 Super Angels excerpts. Piano, electronics: Keiichiro Shibuya Vocals: Android Alter 4 Chorus: White Hand Chorus NIPPON (Voice team conductor: Hiroaki Kato, Autograph team conductor: Erika Colon) Solo violin: Reina Nagano Orchestra: Android Opera TOKYO Orchestra (Concert Master Tatsuki Narita) Android Programming: Shintaro Imai Video: Yuma Kishi Costumes (White Hand Chorus NIPPON): HATRA, NOVESTA Part 2 Android Opera MIRROR Piano, Electronics: Keiichiro Shibuya Vocals: Android Alter 4 Koyasan Statement: Yasuhiro Yamamoto, Daihiro Kashihara, Tomonobu Tani, Takuhide Kametani Orchestra: Android Opera TOKYO Orchestra (Concert Master Tatsuki Narita) Video: Justine Emard Android Programming: Shintaro Imai
Comment from Yuma Kishi from Dentsu Lab Tokyo
“Angels” are symbolized in our human society as a bridge between the supernatural realm and the everyday realm. The original religious symbolism has been bleached, and over time it has often been depicted simply as a “gospel omen.” However, its character is actually ambiguous, as it originally had the role of causing disaster. Musician Keiichiro Shibuya exposes the fragility of the boundaries that humans have built, and invites the viewer to go beyond those boundaries. Even in modern times, he produces music that is unique, and the
performances co-created by him and the android may be quite similar to the ambiguous role originally held by angels: announcing the gospel and the coming of disaster. This time, I will use two image generation networks to deconstruct the image of “angels” that has become bleached in modern society. The images spun by these AI networks will be enhanced by the hand singing of the White Hand Chorus NIPPON through sensing devices produced by Dentsu Lab Tokyo, and will be shown on the screen on the day of the event. Android Opera, which will make its triumphant return to Tokyo for the first time in six years, will use modern AI technology, the android Alter4, the children of White Hand Chorus NIPPON, and a spatial device created by Keiichiro Shibuya’s performance to involve the viewer and create a new world. As a participant, I am also very excited to see if they will take me there. About Dentsu Lab Tokyo
Dentsu Lab Tokyo is a creative R&D organization that integrates research, planning, and development. With the philosophies of “PLAYFUL SOLUTION” and “I don’t care”, we use digital technology and ideas to develop expressions that move people’s hearts and solve social issues that the world is currently seeking. Official website:
https://dentsulab.tokyo/
More details about this release:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000037.000088502.html