Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on February 2010

© Makoto Yukimura/ Kodansha

Media arts change as rapidly as the technologies with which they are created. Find out how the field is currently moving forward at the 13th edition of the Japan Media Arts Festival. Prizewinning works of animation, film, games and manga selected from 2,592 entries from 54 nations are now on display at the National Art Center. Among the pieces is David Bowen’s Growth Modeling Device, an improbably kinetic installation based on the rate of growth and structure of a onion plant. For those interested in homegrown anime and manga, there are screenings of Mamoru Hosada’s mega hit Summer Wars and an exhibit of Makoto Yukimura’s leftfield Viking-themed manga Vineland (pictured).

The National Art Center, Tokyo
13th Japan Media Arts Festival. Various media. Until Feb 14, free. Renoir: Tradition and Innovation. Painting. Until Apr 5, free (MS and under)/¥800 (HS)/¥1,200 (univ)/¥1,500 (adult). 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-6812-9900. Open Wed-Mon 10am-6pm, closed Tue. Nearest stn: Roppongi, exit 4. www.nact.jp