NOMURA DESIGN COMPETITION 2001

NOMURA DESIGN COMPETITION 2001
son başvuru tarihi:	10.04.2001	teslim tarihi:	10.04.2001
Registration deadline:		Submission deadline:

Yarışma Özeti (Summary):
"Representation" has a bad reputation nowadays. But let's take another look at this word, by thinking about it as "re/presentation." "Re" refers to something that has "already been" and "presentation" means to "set forth" something. Thus, "representation" means "to set forth that which has already been."

There are two issues that need to be addressed. Why does representation involve that which has "already been"? And why does it "set forth" that which has "already been"?

Why does representation involve that which has "already been"? The world that we inhabit is by no means a tabula rasa, but has existed independently of us, before we ever came to occupy it as we do now. Social customs, commonly accepted ideas, systems, and language exist in the world, yet are not visible to the eye, while the physical condition of land, the flow of air, artificial objects constructed before our time, and the garbage that we have discarded are visible to the eye. That we can do what we are doing here and now is neither removed from the customs that we have acquired or the DNA structure of which we are composed. Our lives are conducted according to conventions established within an environment that precedes us; we cannot exist outside of the framework of society. If you were a fatalist you might think that the very existence of this framework is what determines all of our actions, whatever they may be. However, it doesn't take much to effect the complete transformation of that which has already been decided. That we ourselves can be the ones to effect such change, herein lies one of the missions of what it means to design. Nevertheless, such an endeavor must be prefaced by questioning, "What is that which has 'already been?'" That is why I wish to raise this question here.

And why does representation "set forth" that which has "already been"? Unless something is "set forth," that which has "already been" cannot be identified. Certainly, that "already exists" there. In what manner does that which has "already been" exist? If this cannot be expressed clearly, then how is one to know what approach to take in implementing change? That is why representation demands that something be "set forth."

Indeed, the "display" is re/presentation in this sense. That is, it "sets forth that which has already been." Now, how is it that one can "set forth" something that has "already been"? For instance, the display method of the diorama can be employed to "set forth" diastrophic disturbances that have "already been." In creating a reduced model of sections of the earth's crust that we cannot actually see and replicating its movements, the diastrophic disturbance can be "put forth" before us. Of course, diastrophic disturbances can be recorded in writing and can also be illustrated in books. Various forms of media have been cultivated over time, and it is through the use of such media that re/presentation has been attempted.

This competition asks how, in using the developing medium of the computer, something that has "already been" can be "set forth." The city will serve as that which has "already been." In short, how can the computer "set forth" things that have "already been," the cities we inhabit, yet cannot discern at a glance. This is the theme of the competition.

Cities are constituted by a variety of elements: people, objects, space, transportation, economics, politics, information, nature, events, etc. Among these, what element, that is to say, what connection forged by which particular element constitutes the city? This is a matter of opinion. There are an infinite number of ways to look at something that has "already been."

In any case, this competition asks each participant to "set forth," within their browsers, the element that they believe constitutes the city. The evaluation of works will be based on how well a work expresses, within the browser, an aspect of the city that could not otherwise be expressed and the extent to which that aspect is realized within the browser. At this site, we plan on exhibiting the works entered as is, just as they are sent to us. What are the possibilities for the re/presentation of the city? We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Application Requirements
Applicants will not be required to provide information about their age, sex, nationality, or occupation (whether they are professionals or amateurs). Each applicant may submit up to two works.

Entry Works
- Works are limited to those works that have not been previously published either in Japan or abroad.
- Works must not violate any copyrights; the sponsor must be able to exhibit the works freely.

Works Entered
- Please submit computer-based works with still or animated images as HTML files
- As plug-ins, the use of Flash and Quick Time will be allowed. However, QuickTime VR cannot be used.
- Please confirm that your browser software operates with Netscape 3.0 or higher or Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher.
- Works should be less than 500k bytes when compressed.
- Works will be viewed at 600x800 pixels with a resolution of 72 pixels.
- Applicants should submit a description of their project (either in English or Japanese), approximately 200 words in length.
- The works will only be reviewed on computer monitors.

Application Procedures
- Applications can only be submitted to Nomura Co., Ltd.'s website.
- Please access the website listed below. Go to the page "Nomura Design Competition 2001" and enter all the required fields of information. Send your work and text as an attached file according to the instructions given. Please note that applications sent by floppy disk, submitted in person, or sent via e-mail that does not originate from the application homepage will not be accepted.

Miscellaneous
- Questions related to the themes of works will not be entertained. Works need only conform to the regulations and should be inspired by the free play of the applicant's imagination.
- Works entered will not be returned to the applicant. Please be sure to make duplicate copies if necessary.

Deadline & Review Process
First-Stage Review - The first-stage review will take place during the following three periods:
1) First period: 10 April 2001
2) Second period: 10 June 2001
3) Third period: 10 August 2001

- Applicants may submit works during any of the three periods; the same work can be resubmitted during each period.
- During each period, 3 applicants will be chosen as finalists of the first-stage review. When the review process is completed at the end of August, 10 applicants will be chosen as finalists.
- The review process will, of course, consider the content of the works. The first-stage review will primarily consider the developmental possibilities of the entry proposed and will be conducted with the aim of selecting finalists for the final review.
- The results of the reviews conducted during each period will be announced within 10 days of the application deadline. The names of the finalists will be announced on the web, accompanied by the judge's comments.
- Each of the finalists selected will be given 30,000 yen as preparatory funds for the final review.

Final Review
- Only the finalists selected during the first-stage review will be considered.
- The finalists selected will be asked to further develop their proposals and submit their final projects by 20 September 2001.
- Changes to and development of final projects will be exhibited on the web periodically.
- The final project need not be based on the proposal entered in the first-stage review; new plans will be accepted.
- If a finalist selected during the first-stage review fails to submit a work for the final review, that applicant will no longer be considered a finalist of the first-stage review.

Winner Announcement
The winner will be announced on the Nomura Co., Ltd. website and through Mass Media on October 1, 2001.