Artist Interview: Motomichi Nakamura
Motomichi Nakamura is a Japanese-born, New York-based artist and lecturer whose creations span across various mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture, animation – and his primary passion, projections. Working primarily with black, red, and white, his work is recognizable for its scary but intriguing monsters.
Nakamura studied Communication Design and Illustration at Parsons School of Design. After graduation, he moved to Quito, Ecuador, where he lived for seven years and first discovered the medium of projection mapping. Since then, his work has been showcased at renowned festivals and recognized by esteemed institutions worldwide.
We asked Motomichi about his art, creative process, and inspirations.
Projection Art by Motomichi Nakamura: "Red Eyes" (2022) in Taos, New Mexico
Can you tell us about your background as a digital artist? How did you get started in this field?
I studied graphic design and illustration so it was a natural transition from traditional media to digital media. But I always preferred digital media because it’s flexible, mobile and scalable.
Projection Art by Motomichi Nakamura: The Arc - Media Façade (디아크미디어파사드)
What inspires your art? Are there any particular themes or subjects that you enjoy exploring through your artwork?
I get inspired by intense feelings such as fear, pain but also pleasure and happiness as well as excitement. I love imagining myself encountering monsters like the cryptozoological stories because they describe the state of fear but also excitement at the same time.
Animation by Motomichi Nakamura: New York City 3000 (2023) commissioned by MTA Arts & Design, on view across the 52-screen digital display at Fulton Center
What is an event which you consider a milestone in your digital art career?
When I made a music video for a Swedish band called The Knife in 2006. The video was widely played on MTV and other TV channels and film festivals mainly in Europe and I think that really helped me to reach out to many audiences especially in Europe. Also, I started projection mapping back in 2012 when it was relatively still new and that gave me a lot of opportunities since then.
Mural by Motomichi Nakamura: Bukruk Urban Art Festival, Bangkok, Thailand
Can you tell us about some of your favorite pieces? What makes them special to you?
I made a projection mapping installation called “Cannonballs” three years ago. It was challenging to make but I am very happy with how it came out. It’s currently in Balloon Museum in London and Dusseldorf. Being able to make projection mapping work on rather bright space and on black surface was challenging! Ongoing popup projection series “Red Eyes” is something I am excited about now. It’s outdoor, guerrilla style projection so it’s quite exciting.
Projection Art by Motomichi Nakamura: The Arc - Media Façade (디아크미디어파사드)
How do you handle feedback and critique of your artwork? Can you share an example of a time when feedback has helped you grow as an artist?
Personally, I really appreciate feedback or comments from people who aren’t necessarily from art field. They are more honest and talk more about how they feel. I also often stand by my work (especially public installation work) as an audience and watch how people react to it. I even ask them what they think without letting them know I am the artist. You can hear very honest comments as you can imagine!
Motomichi Nakamura’s work is recognizable for its scary but intriguing monsters.
Can you tell us about your projection art – how does the dialogue between the projected space and the artwork impact your creativity?
It impacts me in a way that I feel like I am sharing something very personal with strangers. Projection mapping is like merging my computer screen or my digital world with real world. It always gives me strange feeling when I see people interact with it, like seeing them in my laptop screen.
Projection Art by Motomichi Nakamura: Monsters of Croton-On-Hudson
What is a profound childhood memory?
I always liked water and I have many memories with it. Fishing, having a fish tank or many aquatic pets like fish, turtles, crawfish and etc, being in a swim team, going to the beach, diving etc.
Immersive Art Installation by Motomichi Nakamura: Deep Sea Projection Mapping Installation at Governors Island NYC
What is a fun fact about you?
After college I lived in Ecuador for 7 years. My wife is also Ecuadorian and I consider Japan, US and Ecuador as my home. Oh, I was in a movie called “proof of life” as an extra! They shot the film in Ecuador and they needed some “Asian” person in background in a scene and they reached out to Japanese embassy and they contacted me. They paid us $20 and a few slices of pizza for all day long shoot!!
Animated Film by by Motomichi Nakamura: "When the Night Falls", commissioned by 150 Media Stream
