Teruo Koike

8mm film directed by Teruo Koike

Ecosystem-6: A Sort of Mycelium is a mesmerizing compound of patterns found in the organic world. Static elements – ropes, a forest – come to life, while living sea creatures like an octopus or a starfish resemble ornamental patterns in motion. Inspired by the elaborate chaos systems present in nature, Koike creates an exuberant and splendid new dimension to explore.

Inside a stone, I found an architecture with light and time, this is my work. - TK

The ecosystem series which started in 1981 counts 15 and is still growing, becoming Koike's lifework. Through the series, Koike has shot a huge amount – thousands – of still photos of objective motifs, from ocean creatures, microbes, and granite to artificial material such as fishing nets. Those photos are developed with a specialized method then reshot with movie film. The style has been thoroughly continued. The images that are created as a result tower before our eyes as an overwhelming visual experience. Each motif has been repeatedly decomposed and reconstructed of its "attribution" and "meaning", causing a shocking Gestalt breakdown for the audience.

Part 17 of Koike Teruo’s Ecosystem series.

A brief documentary focused on the history of experimental Super 8mm filmmaking. Prominent figures of the "s8" boom of the 1970s discuss their work and their first encounters with the medium.

Part 30 of Koike Teruo’s Ecosystem series.

Part 15 of Koike Teruo’s Ecosystem series.