Immersive, intuitive and fluid, the new exhibition of the HEK tries to respond one question: the definition of radical, within the gaming industry
The aim(s) of the exhibition
With a long list of works and artist, Boris Magrini, the curator of the exhibition tries to understand and showcase how technologies, aesthetics and interactivity created what the gaming industry is, while creating new norms and rules.
Within the 15 artists of the exhibition, all of them have a common though on the use of gaming, and interactivity (with a VR mask, a multi story game or within their character) as one entity in the virtual world. To create all of this, the current generations of artists understand and uses high technology devices to code, create and program all of those games, while making them “mainstream”.
Virtual views on true thoughts
But, they are also creating boundaries, in a good way thought. They wanted to create an immersive experience within the personage of the games. First, by talking about gender, stereotype and today’s political and social discrimination.
In a way, the Greek artist Theo Triantafyllidis invited the player to become a figure, a fluid figure, not a man or a woman in his 2019 game, Pastoral. But, as you look close to it, you can see the muscles of this personage scrolling thoughts in this lush landscape. Therefore, the game is quite easy, you will move and walk around and in this landscape, exploring and seating on a rock, while thinking about this intriguing personage.
With this kind of practice, gaming become more than a childhood or adolescent entertainment, it becomes a cultural reduction and engagement for all ages, and all kind of people, even if they don’t like the concept. In a way, gaming is like a film mixed with personal thought and subjects. It’s even more true when the games, are not made to make money, but for themselves.
For example, Sara’s practice evolved around the use of CGI and animation and how this new medium might give an end to the Human species. Therefore, her post-apocalyptic version of Moscow and his surrounding, gives us a feeling of loneliness and constant questioning.
Nonetheless, the story is even more intriguing when you thought about the relation between the political and technological world, and how this link became a crazy Easter eggs.
Much more than a game: a true artistic production and craftsmanship
Finally, we need to talk about the perception of video game, in our society. Until recently, the video game were considered as an adolescent entertainment, but it's now going back to the root of it: creativity.
With all of this games dealing with genders, society's, transformations of even sexuality, the industry is opening up to a new generation of player and artist, who want to change our perception. All of this translate into the term of "Game art", when artist experiment with this medium, while questioning the viewer.
Artists: Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley, Leo Castañeda, Sara Culmann, Debbie Ding, Keiken, Lawrence Lek, Mikhail Maksimov, Cassie McQuater, Sahej Rahal, Nicole Ruggiero, Jacolby Satterwhite, Eddo Stern, Theo Triantafyllidis, Miyö Van Stenis, Lu Yang
Informations about the exhibition
Place: HEK / Haus der Elektronischen Künste
Date: 02.09.2021 – 14.11.2021
Curator: Boris Magrini
Ticket: Available at the front desk of the museum
Informations about the HEK
Frailer-Platz 9
CH-4142 Münchenstein / Basel
Phone: +41 61 283 60 50
Mail: office@hek.ch