[Workshop] Kinematic Kyoto I: Living Architecture, Tradition and Craft in Cinematic Time

This is a film screening, project presentation, and introduction to the Kinematic Kyoto II architecture film workshop.
The workshop following this introduction will take place the day after, on Monday, 29 July 2024, 16:15 – 18:00

The film screening of Kine[ma]tic Connections (2023) is prefaced by a presentation to introduce an architecture film workshop that was conducted in the historic neighbourhood of Murasakino in north Kyoto supported by the North Kyoto machizukuri organisation and Murasaki Style Project, a grassroots NGO. The collaboration culminated in a community screening presentation by student participants to the local community, followed by the premiere of the portmanteau of short films at the 2023 Kyoto Architecture Film Festival. Citizen participation extended beyond screening attendance and audience feedback, as residents and local proprietors were also featured protagonists.

As with most cities across Japan, Murasakino is severely impacted by shrinking population but is experiencing grassroots revitalisation following recent in-migration and artisanal start-ups. With centuries-old trades associated with Daitokuji (a venerated Buddhist temple located centrally in the neighbourhood) still active, the new infusion is changing the local demographics as well as the social and cultural landscape in interesting ways. Examples include sensitive adaptive reuse of Kyo-machiya (traditional timber Kyoto townhouses) and decommissioned public facilities, and weekend markets with pop-up stalls on Shin-Omiya Square to foster community spirit. (Murasakino is incidentally the birthplace of Shikibu Murasaki, author of the 11th Century literary classic The Tale of Genji. On-location filming for NHK’s lavish epic drama on her life has brought about a nationwide interest and visible increase in domestic tourism.)

The question posed by Murasaki Style Project on behalf of the host community was whether it was possible, even for visitors, to discern the distinctive qualities of Murasakino, and to what extent the former’s perspective differ from an insider’s. The methodology and approach formulated for the Kyoto workshop are designed to guide the critical application of architecture film (eizō kenchiku in Japanese) to unpack the spatial and socio-cultural layers that shape the lived environment, uncover forgotten stories and time-honoured traditions, or highlight discontinuities between living knowledge and contemporary lifestyles. Meaningful storytelling, coupled with the deft manipulation of visual, spatial, temporal, material and intangible elements, invite audience to vicariously inhabit the soft side of the city that coexists with the built environment.

This film screening and presentation is followed by a talk, ‘Introduction to the Theory and Techniques of Architecture Filmmaking’, as a prelude to the architecture film practicum the contributors will conduct in Kinematic Kyoto II.