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  • 8th SYNCANDI Comic & Poster Available Now

    8th SYNCANDI Comic & Poster Available Now

    Hello,

    Today we published our eighth poster and comic in our current SYNCANDI series.

    As you may already know, a few months back we decided to allow people to read the comic free online for a limited period of time. We are still offering high quality PDF’s of each issue for sale as well as high quality A2 prints of each poster in the series.

    Please enjoy our latest offerings. All available from our official Studio Syncandi SHOP

    SYNCANDI COMIC 08

    Comic-series-08-comp

    SYNCANDI COMIC 08 • In the eighth issue of the SYNCANDI comic series Ikkyu continues on her quest to save Sync, climbs a mountain and encounters a mysterious mist: While the dying Sync remembers her fun loving past. Read on . . .

    Artist Joanna Krótka

    Writer Roberto Iolini

    20 page full color high quality PDF.

     

    SYNCANDI POSTER • REFLECTION

    SYNCANDI Poster - Reflection

    Poster Title: REFLECTION. Original illustration by Joanna Krótka.

    A2 (426 x 600) size poster. Full gloss. High quality paper. Printed in Japan.

    More beautiful and surreal art from Joanna Krótka.  A mirror like image of Ikkyu and Sync reaching out to touch hands from a bed of flowers.

    The SYNCANDI poster series has a direct connection with the drama that unfolds in the SYNCANDI COMIC series.

    FREE SHIPPING ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!*

    * Japan Post Airmail takes up to 2 weeks.

     

  • Ikkyu’s Journal #7 FIRST DREAM

    Ikkyu’s Journal #7 FIRST DREAM

    SYNCANDI - Ikkyu's Journal 07

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    FIRST DREAM

    I have experienced something very very important.

    We did something together.

    You and I.

    Do you remember?

    We are together in a lovely place all golden and warm.

    We’re just floating there.

    The two of us.

    Our eyes are closed.

    Like when we sleep.

    What’s interesting is that I am experiencing this simultaneously from my floating body and from outside that body.

    Then I notice that there are thousands of tiny tiny threads coming out of our bodies.

    The threads are almost invisible, translucent.

    But I can see them.

    The threads are attached all over our bodies.

    When I look closely I can see that there is some kind of liquid flowing through them.

    The liquid is flowing into our bodies.

    Gently pulsating.

    It feels warm.

    I can see that the threads lead into a giant tube that flows and wends its way into the distance.

    Only you and I are connected to it.

    The tube is filled with liquid.

    The liquid gently flows.

    The inside of the tube looks like a sandy clear stream in a forest.

    When I look closely I can see tiny tiny creatures swimming in the stream.

    The creatures have fantastic shapes.

    They swim and frolic.

    It seems that they are playing together.

    I can’t stop looking at them floating and playing in the gentle current inside the big tube.

    Then I turn and see that your eyes are open.

    You are looking at me.

    You gently float over to my sleeping body.

    You reach out your hand and ever so gently remove a thread connected to my breast.

    The thread floats up and away and a few drops of liquid begin to slowly float out of my breast.

    You pull another thread.

    And more drops flow.

    One by one.

    You remove the threads.

    Soon there are many drops floating up and out of my breast.

    Slowly you bring your mouth towards my breast and tenderly place your lips to where the drops are flowing and begin to gently drink.

    At that moment my eyes open.

    And I can see a smile on my face.

    I move my hand and place it behind your head.

    Then I woke up and discovered I was in an unfamiliar stone room.

     

    JAPANESE TRANSLATION

    初めての夢
    このシーンでIkkyuは、無邪気な部分に話させている。初めての夢を見たことの興奮、恐れ、魅惑をコントロールすることの難しさに挑戦している。

    (興奮しているが落ち着いた声)

     

    私はとてもとても大切なことを経験した。

     

    私たちは一緒に何かをした。

     

    あなたと私。

     

    あなたは覚えている?

     

    私たちは全て金色で暖かいステキな場所で一緒。

     

    ただそこで漂っている。

     

    私たち二人。

     

    目は閉じている。

     

    寝ている時みたいに。

     

    面白いのは、漂う体からとその体の外側からと同時にこの経験をしていること。

     

    そして、私は何千ものとっても小さな糸のようなものが私たちの体から出てくるのに気付く。

     

    その糸はほとんど見えない、半透明。

     

    でも私には見える。

     

    その糸は私たちの体中にくっついている。

     

    近くで見ると、その糸の中を何かの液体が流れているのが見える。

     

    その液体は私たちの体の中へと流れている。

     

    優しく脈動している。

     

    温かい。

     

    その糸が遠くへ漂い進む巨大なチューブにつながっているのが見える。

     

    あなたと私だけがそれにつながっている。

     

    そのチューブは液体で満たされている。

     

    その液体は優しく流れる。

     

    チューブの中はまるで森の中にある砂底の透明な小川のよう。

     

    近づいて見ると、その流れの中をとても小さな生き物が泳いでいるのが見える。

     

    その生き物たちは素晴らしいカタチをしている。

     

    泳ぎ戯れる。

     

    生き物たちは一緒に遊んでいるみたい。

     

    彼らが巨大チューブの中のゆるやかな流れを漂い遊ぶ姿から目を離せない。

     

    そして私が振り返ると、あなたは目を開いている。

     

    あなたは私を見ている。

     

    横たわる私の体の上へと優しく漂ってくる。

     

    あなたは手を伸ばし、とてもとてもやさしく私の胸につながる糸を取り除く。

     

    その糸は浮いて離れ、数滴の液体が私の胸からゆっくりと浮き出てき始める。

     

    あなたはまた別の糸を引く。

     

    そしてもっとしずくがが漂う。

     

    一滴ずつ。

     

    あなたは全部の糸をとりのぞく。

     

    すぐに、私の胸の上で、そして中からたくさんのしずくが浮かぶ。

     

    ゆっくりとあなたは私の胸に口づけ、しずくが流れるところに優しく唇をつけ、ゆっくりと飲み始める。

     

    その瞬間、私の目は開く。

     

    そして自分が微笑むのが見える。

     

    私は手を動かし、あなたの頭の後ろに触れる。

     

    そして目覚め、見慣れない石の部屋にいることに気づいた。

     

     

    READ IKKYU’S JOURNAL 08

  • 7th SYNCANDI Comic & Poster Available Now

    Hello,

    Today we published our seventh poster and comic in our current series. Please enjoy and if you have our comic bundle membership you can now download your high quality PDF from the SYNCANDI Shop.

    SYNCANDI COMIC 07 • In the seventh issue of the SYNCANDI comic series  Ikkyu summons a bloom of jellyfish with her song, with interesting consequences, while the dying Sync relives an extremely dramatic scene from her assassin past. Compelling stuff!

    SYNCANDI POSTER • ESCAPE

    Joanna Krótka’s latest illustration commissioned especially for the SYNCANDI project. ESCAPE is the seventh poster in the SYNCANDI series.

    In this dramatic illustration named ESCAPE, Joanna Krótka brilliantly achieves the energy and movement of Sync running for her life through a field of Japanese susuki grass.  The repetitive sequence of images of Ikkyu’s serene face above creates an intriguing contrast to the drama playing out below her.

    You can order both from the SYNCANDI Shop.

     

  • What is a Kagura-den?

    Today we are sharing some reference photos with you, which the Studio Syncandi team took while location hunting in Japan. Our quest was to find appropriate locations to use as artist references in order to help our creative team with visual and cultural ideas. The photos below were all taken at Japanese Shinto Shrines, most of which are in the Kansai region of Japan. We needed to find an appropriate dwelling and environment for our SYNCANDI characters, Ikkyu and Sync,

    INT. The safe house – EARLY MORNING

    Two beautiful but strikingly different women stand in front of a rustic wooden Shinto shrine pavilion (KAGURA-DEN). The building has no walls. It is surrounded by dense forest.

    The text above is from Roberto Iolini’s screenplay, for the first SYNCANDI series.

    According to Wikipedia,

    The kagura-den or kagura-dono (神楽殿 lit. kagura palace), also called maidono (舞殿 dance palace) or buden (舞殿) with reference to the bugaku traditional dance, is the building within a Shinto shrine where the sacred dance (kagura) and music are offered to the kami during ceremonies.

    So without further ado, here are some examples of Kagura-den which the Studio Syncandi team documented. As you will discover, the style and settings for Kagura-den vary considerably. Please enjoy.

    Kagura den Nishihata Jinja in Miyama Kyoto
    Kagura den Nishihata Jinja in Miyama Kyoto
    Kagura den Nishihata Jinja in Miyama Kyoto
    Kagura den Nishihata Jinja in Miyama Kyoto
    Kagura den Nishihata Jinja in Miyama Kyoto
    Kagura-den Shimogamo Jinja Kyoto Moon Viewing Festival and Ritual performances to the local Kami
    Kagura-den Shimogamo Jinja Kyoto Moon Viewing Festival and Ritual performances to the local Kami
    Kagura-den Fushimi Inari Jinja Kyoto
    Kagura-den Fushimi Inari Jinja Kyoto
    Kagura-den Kawai Jinja Kyoto
    Kagura-den Kawai Jinja Kyoto – Shrine dedicated to women.
    Kagura-den Kitano Tenmangu Jinja Kyoto - Shrine priestess performing a sacred rite.
    Kagura-den Kitano Tenmangu Jinja Kyoto – Shrine priestess performing a sacred rite.
    Kagura-den Kitano Tenmangu Jinja Kyoto - Shrine priestess performing a sacred rite.
    Kagura-den Kitano Tenmangu Jinja Kyoto – Shrine priestess performing a sacred rite.
    Kagura-den-Kyoto
    Kagura-den-Kyoto
    Kagura-den Shimogamo Jinja Kyoto Moon Viewing Festival and Ritual performances to the local Kami
    Kagura-den Shimogamo Jinja Kyoto Moon Viewing Festival and Ritual performances to the local Kami
    Kagura-den Kamigamo Jinja Kyoto
    Kagura-den Kamigamo Jinja Kyoto

     

  • Humans used Genies Res to experiment with artificial evolution

    syncandi-comic-06-en-(8)

    EXT. BEACH – DAY

    Long golden sandy beach. Cloudless sky. No wind. Gentle swell. Ikkyu casually walks along the water’s edge.

    Deep in thought, Ikkyu remembers…

    SYNC (V.O)

    …So humans used this place to experiment with artificial evolution?

    SHAMAN (V.O)

    Yes, on a grand scale. They needed to solve the mystery of why the DNA code, which evolved to define bacteria, had enough reach to define dinosaurs and humans…

    SYNC (V.O)

    …Which would allow them to create synthetic organisms that could truly evolve.

    _____________________________________

    The above excerpt from the script for SYNCANDI Comic 06 is bound to be a tad confusing to the general reader, unless of course you are familiar with the writings of Physicist David Deutsch. The ‘hard’ science in Syncandi fiction draws significantly on Deutsch’s book The Beginning of Infinity. 

    Here is an excerpt from Deutsch’s book which puts the conversation between Sync and the Shaman into context.

    The Beginning of Infinity – By David Deutsch – Page 163

    The field of artificial (general) intelligence has made no progress because there is an unsolved philosophical problem at its heart: we do not understand how creativity works. Once that has been solved, programming it will not be difficult. Even artificial evolution may not have been achieved yet, despite appearances. There the problem is that we do not understand the nature of the universality of the DNA replication system.

    Hope this helps a little.

    ri

     

  • Artist David Nerich reworks more Joanna Krótka SYNCANDI Comic art

     

    SYNCANDI-IKKYU-&-SYNC-DN-ART-04

     

    SYNCANDI-IKKYU-&-SYNC-DN-ART-03

     

    Here are two more digitally reworked comic pages by David Nerlich. He’s developing an interesting process that we’ll be continually showcasing. Perhaps we’ll make some print posters at some stage?

    Hope you like them. In any case let us know what you think if you have a moment.

    Thank you.

    #syncandi #lgbtq #kaguraden #scifi

     

  • Ikkyu’s Journal #6 IDOLISER

    Ikkyu’s Journal #6 IDOLISER

     

    IDOLISER

     

    The way you just walked in.

    No one saw you.

    There were hundreds of me there.

    But you chose this one.

    I wasn’t ready yet.

    Did you know that?

    You must have.

    You wanted me open.

    So you could shape me.

    Into something perfect.

    Something special.

    Only you could do that.

    Because you yourself are special.

    That’s why you are here.

    That’s why you ran away.

    Not because you were afraid.

    But because you are brave.

    You wanted to take control.

    You are in control.

    Oh, how I want that.

    You held me in your arms.

    I could feel your warmth.

    I could feel your heart.

    It felt so secure.

    You carried me away.

    So strong and supple.

    No one saw us leaving.

    As we made our escape.

    Nothing bothers you.

    Not even dying.

    You turned to me and smiled.

    Your eyes were shining. I

    could see myself.

    You made me feel so safe.

    You made me feel so special.

    I didn’t know that then.

    But, how I want you.

    How I need you.

    Everyone wants you.

    Everyone needs you.

    But I have you…all to myself.

    You can do anything.

    You can hunt and kill.

    But you don’t kill me.

    That’s because you want me.

    That’s because you need me.

    Always by your side.

    Like one of your weapons.

    But I’m your weapon of life.

    The killing is over.

    You want to die in peace.

    You want to remain human.

    A strong and fearless human.

    I saw me in your eyes.

    At the factory.

    You chose me with your eyes.

    So strong and fearless. Always by your side.

    Always by my side.

    JAPANESE TRANSLATION

     

    盲目の恋人
    このシーンでIkkyuは、恋人Syncに盲目であるパートに話させる。この声は称賛と、また心酔する人によって自分だけが選ばれたという満足に満ちている。このパートはまた、IkkyuとSyncの間にある特別なつながりがいかに依存的かを示している。

    (夢見心地で)

     

    あなたが入ってきた瞬間の様子。

     

    誰も見ていなかった。

     

    そこには数百もの私がいた。

     

    でもあなたはこの私を選んだ。

     

    私はまだ完成されていなかった。

     

    あなたは知っていた?

     

    知っていたはず。

     

    あなたはオープンな状態の私を求めた。

     

    そうすれば私を作り上げられるように。

     

    完璧な何かに。

     

    特別な何かに。

     

    あなただけがそれをできた。

     

    それはあなた自身が特別だから。

     

    だからあなたはここにいる。

     

    だからあなたは逃げ出した。

     

    怖かったからじゃなく。

     

    勇気があったから。

     

    あなたはものごとを掌握したかった。

     

    あなたは掌握している。

     

    そう、私がしてほしかったように。

     

    あなたは私を抱き抱えた。

     

    あなたの温かさを感じられた。

     

    あなたの鼓動を感じられた。

     

    とっても安全に感じた。

     

    あなたは私を連れ去った。

     

    とても力強くしなやかに。

     

    私達がそこを去るのを見たものはいない。

     

    私達が逃げ出したとき。

     

    あなたを惑わすものはない。

     

    死ぬことさえも。

     

    あなたは私のほうを見て微笑んだ。

     

    あなたの目は輝いていた。

     

    その目に私の姿がうつった。

     

    あなたは私を安心させてくれた。

     

    私がとても特別だと感じさせてくれた。

     

    そのときは知らなかった。

     

    でも、私がどんなにあなたが欲しいか。

     

    どんなにあなたを必要としているか。

     

    みんなあなたを欲しい。

     

    みんなあなたが必要。

     

    でもあなたは私のもの・・・独り占めしている。

     

    あなたは何でもできる。

     

    目標を射止めて殺せる。

     

    でもあなたは私を殺さない。

     

    だってあなたは私が欲しいから。

     

    だってあなたは私が必要だから。

     

    いつもあなたのそばに。

     

    まるであなたの武器のひとつのように。

     

    でも私はあなたの命の武器。

     

    殺しはもう終わり。

     

    あなたは静かに死にたい。

     

    人間のままでいたい。

     

    強く怖れを知らない人間。

     

    あなたの瞳に映る私を見た。

     

    あの工場で。

     

    あなたは自分の目で私を選んだ。

     

    とても強く恐れ知らず。

     

    いつもあなたのそばに。

     

    いつも私のそばに。

    READ IKKYU’S JOURNAL 07

  • 6th SYNCANDI Comic & Poster Available Now

    6th SYNCANDI Comic & Poster Available Now

    Hello,

    All of us at Studio Syncandi sincerely hope that for those of you who celebrate this time of year, it has been a joyful and peaceful season. Today we published our sixth poster and comic in our current series. Please enjoy and if you have our comic bundle membership you can now download your high quality PDF from the SYNCANDI Shop.

     

    This is a FREE TO READ ONLINE version of the PAID SYNCANDI DIGITAL COMIC. Please do not distribute or sell this online version of the comic. Thank you for your kind support :-) www.syncandi.com

    SYNCANDI COMIC 06 • The sixth issue of the SYNCANDI comic series focuses on Ikkyu in search of a piece of vital code which she needs to save Sync from a lethal virus. Ikkyu takes refuge among the giant roots of an ancient tree. Dreams of microbes and mythical Japanese creatures. And is guided by a kaleidoscope of butterflies. What does it all mean? Read on . . .

    SYNCANDI-POSTER-06-VIRUS

    Poster Title: VIRUS. Original illustration by Joanna Krótka.

    A2 (426 x 600) size poster. Full gloss. High quality paper. Printed in Japan.

    Joanna Krótka’s latest illustration commissioned especially for the SYNCANDI project. VIRUS is the sixth poster in the SYNCANDI series.

    In this evocative illustration named Virus, Joanna Krotka brilliantly conveys the effect that the lethal virus is having on Sync and Ikkyu.  Sync is portrayed as vulnerable, weak and inward looking, while Ikkyu is shown as vital and strong, gazing outwards and away from Sync, determined to find a cure for her lover.  Great work by a great artist!

    The SYNCANDI poster series has a direct connection with the drama that unfolds in the SYNCANDI COMIC series.

  • SYNCANDI art + music experiment 01

    SYNCANDI art + music experiment 01

    This week at Studio Syncandi.

    David Nerlich, the guy that made our great Love Song of Genies Res music video, has made some rather amazing artworks by digitally reworking stills from the video  as well as images from the comic series. See some examples below. We are planning to offer a  selection of these works as print posters.

    Roberto Iolini did an interview for Australian radio station 2SER-FM about Studio Syncandi. The interviewer was Peter Castaldi for his weekly screen culture show Screaming Jets. It will be broadcast in late January.

    We are happy to say that the fourth SYNCANDI free webcomic  was published on Sunday. We are continuing to provide our comic series free to read online to help share the love.

    We are excited to announce that Roberto has been remixing some experimental songs which he composed for the SYNCANDI project. They feature UTAU, the Japanese vocal synthesis music software program which is similar to Vocaloid. These songs are imaginative, quirky and accessible.  We’ll be sharing these with you very soon.

    In the meantime please enjoy the artwork below:)

     

    SYNCANDI---IKKYU-&-SYNC-01

    SYNCANDI-Ikkyu-Portrait-01

    SYNCANDI---SYNC-PORTRAIT-3

    SYNCANDI-Sync-Portrait-2

  • Ikkyu’s Journal #5 RESPONSIBLE

    Ikkyu’s Journal #5 RESPONSIBLE

    Ikkyu's-Journal-05-2xPages

    Okay.

    I have a plan.

    Yes.

    I have to do something about Ikkyu and by default, Sync.

    One is dying, and as a result the other is literally coming apart.

    They are polarised.

    Something has to be done.

    Soon.

    It’s distressing to watch Ikkyu endlessly ricochet around a bunch of emotional and physical states.

    At some point she may not manage to bounce back!

    I’ve been here for a while…observing.

    Not just those two, but other things.

    The environment for instance.

    I’ve seen some interesting interactions between creatures and plants.

    It seems that they are communicating on some level.

    I can sense something out there.

    My body can feel it.

    A part of Ikkyu feels it too.

    I’ve watched her body do some pretty strange things.

    I don’t understand that.

    I don’t have access.

    But there’s a good chance that there is something special about this place.

    Some kind of nurturing energy.

    It makes me confident that there is a way to solve this dying/ricocheting/polarising problem.

    So I’m going to start exploring this place.

    So far I haven’t ventured very far.

    Because it’s supposed to be dangerous out there.

    Well, I’m not afraid, and besides, this is an emergency!

    If there’s anything out there that can help, then I’ll do my best to find it.

    Oh yes, just because I’m doing this doesn’t mean I necessarily agree with what you two are doing.

    Fact is, I can’t just sit on the sidelines and watch you both dissolve each other into a puddle of ooze.

    Besides, it’s my job to keep this organism alive!

     

    JAPANESE TRANSLATION

    責任ある自己 
    このシーンでIkkyuは、責任ある楽観的生存者の部分に話させる。家族のために安全で滋養的な環境を創ることを決意している賢く機知にとんだ母のよう。

    (ぐらつかない、自信のある、皮肉たっぷりな声)

    オーケー。

     

    計画があるの。

     

    そう。

     

    イッキュウについてどうにかしなくてはならない、そして当然Syncも。

     

    片方は死にかけていて、その結果もう片方は文字通り壊れかけている。

     

    彼らは二極化している。

     

    どうにかしなくてはならない。

     

    すぐに。

     

    イッキュウの感情的・肉体的状態が、際限なく飛び跳ね続けるのは見るにしのびない。

     

    やがてイッキュウは元の状態に戻れなくなるかもしれない!

     

    私はここにしばらくいて・・・観察している。

     

    二人だけでなく、ほかのことも。

     

    例えば環境。

     

    生物と植物の間での興味深い相互作用をいくつか見てきた。

     

    どうやらそれらはあるレベルでコミュニケーションをしているようだ。

     

    ここで何かが起きているのを感じる。

     

    私の体がそれを感じられる。

     

    イッキュウの一部もそれを感じている。

     

    彼女の体がかなり不思議なことをするのを見た。

     

    私には理解できない。

     

    わたしにはアクセスできない。

     

    しかし、この場所には何か特別なことがある可能性が高い。

     

    涵養エネルギーのようなもの。

     

    そのおかげで、私にはこの瀕死/飛び跳ね/二極化という問題を解決する方法はあるという自信を持っている。

     

    だから、この場所の探検を始める。

     

    今のところ、まだ遠くまで行っていない。

     

    そこは危険なはずだから。

     

    そう、私は恐れていない、しかも、これは緊急事態!

     

    もし何か助けになるものがそこにあるなら、それを見つけることにベストを尽くそう。

     

    そう、私がこれをしているからといって、それは必ずしもあなたたち二人がやっていることに同意するという意味ではない。

     

    実際、私は、あなたたち二人がお互いをよどんだ水たまりの中へと溶けこませていくのを、ただ脇に座ってみているなんてできない。

     

    おまけに、この生命体を生かし続けるのは私の仕事!

     

     

    READ IKKYU’S JOURNAL 06