Column

Q1. Fruition and Challenge Acquired through Online Activities

It was a good achievement that I was able to obtain a certain number of viewers even though I hosted live streaming as a “virtual event” instead of sharing short video work as an archive. While I am based in Berlin, I feel that the people living in Japan could “participate” my artistic activity rather than following after, and I feel a great benefit from being connected with them. As a challenge, I think I could have had more direct interaction with the viewers during the event. Specifically, I think that a more lively reaction could be obtained by installing a comment function or incorporating a function that allows the audience to react on the spot. It was hard to get actual “reactions” from the audiences because it was an online event. I take this as one of the major challenges for similar events in the future. And I feel that I could have done a little better about the announcement. Perhaps it was possible to improve the collaboration within the team and carry out PR activities more efficiently. Also, regarding the announcement from two weeks in advance, it was not so effective. I think it is better to extend the period and appeal to a larger audience over time.

Q2. Points of difficulty and innovations in preparation for online distribution

I researched and thought carefully about how to promote my first online event, who to target and where to reach more people in the situation of lockdown in Berlin. I watched many artists releasing their works online in Europe these days, then I made my own differentiation with other online events. I planned carefully what kind of streaming page would be attractive and how I could briefly convey the meaning of my online event. The point that I had tried was that setting up live streaming at the same date and time in different places in the world, so I decided to host the event in multiple time zones at the same time. It was delivered at 9 pm on 29th of May 2020, and the pages were created separately in Japanese and English. I used mainly SNS to promote the event. On Facebook I hosted online event page for different places and on Instagram I announced the event through the story function two weeks before to describe the event. In addition, I used the advertising function of various SNS about one week ago. The results are as follows.

Advertisement function of Instagram and Facebook: used 4 times.

1. Instagram / Overview of the event and work (Japanese / targeted in Japan) -Number of access to the links: 307
2. Instagram / Overview of the event and work (English /Targeted in Europe) ) -Number of access to the links: 283
3.  Facebook / Event page (Japanese / targeted in Japan)-Number of access to the links: 166
4.  Facebook / MOLS magazine’s introduction and review for the work(Japanese / Targeted in Japan)-Number of access to the links: 141

Q3. Utilization and Development of Online Live Streaming for Forthcoming Activities

I feel that more things will be done online in the future. As online streaming is established as a major presentation platform, this experience hosting an online event was such an opportunity for me to think how I could use as an artist. Through the event, I felt the advantages of streaming as a useful tool that allows people to communicate online, regardless of where they are located, so I would like to continue to actively use streaming for my activities. However, it cannot be said that it is effective for all kinds of situations, so it is more important to make a solid distinction and publish it online when effective. Even though, I would continuously host and develop works and events which are suitable for virtual presentation.

＜Program＞

“Raum”

• Date: 29 May 2020
• Contents: Short Art Film „Raum” Online Screening.
  This film is shot by Berlin based artist, Keisuke Sugawara in Tokyo, Japan in 2019.
  The 11 minute Art work with Rika Kashima as a cast and music by Makoto Sakamoto, focuses on a woman’s monologue and what she sees beyond her eyes. What do you think of a room and “余 韻” (Yoin). Limited screening of the live streaming.
• Promotion tool: Facebook, Instagram, website: keisuke-sugawara.com / molsmagazine.com
• Distribution tool: Wix video (on the official website: keisuke-sugawara.com)
• Twists to get attention and reactions from audiences:
  – Promotion tool of Instagram and Facebook
  – Information release through story function from 2 weeks before the distribution date
  – Add hashtag of artists participating in the project.
  – Personal communication (e.g. by e-mail) to participate in and spread the information about the event
  – Have my work featured in the information media (MOLS magazine)
• Number of audience: 243（at the live streaming）