Game (Life): Video Games in Contemporary Art

Burlington, VT - In one of the first of its kind in the U.S., Burlington City Arts will open a new exhibition, Game (Life), at the Firehouse Gallery on Church Street beginning on Friday, Dec. 18, with an opening reception from 5-8 pm. The show runs through Feb. 13, 2010.

The exhibition will feature eleven artists from Vermont and around the world: Jason Rohrer (Passage and Gravitation), Jonathan Blow (Braid), Randy Smith (Spider), Paolo Pedercini (Faith Fighter and The McDonald's Videogame), Jenova Chen (Flow and Flower), Petri Purho (Crayon Physics), Jakub Dvorsky (Machinarium), Heather Kelley (Sugar), Mark Essen (The Thrill of Combat), Auriea Harvey and Michael Samyn (Tale of Tales).

Game (Life): Video Games in Contemporary Art will transform the downtown gallery into a functioning video arcade set on "free play" inviting visitors to interact in a gallery setting. Blurring the

distinction between the real and synthetic worlds of gaming, the galleries interior will be transformed into a boldly colored, three-dimensional, pixilated landscape bringing to life the look of a classic video game.

Provocative and reflective works by artists and independent game designers will engage visitors in play, and confront the viewer/player with questions regarding politics, violence, emotional resonance and beauty, as well as the implications of video gaming's emerging dominance in our entertainment culture.

In addition to the exhibition at the Firehouse Gallery, Burlington City Arts has collaborated with Champlain College's Game Design program to present an artist/game designer lecture series featuring:

·         Jason Rohrer - author of Passage and Gravitation
Friday, January 15 at Champlain College - Alumni Auditorium, 7-8:30pm
Saturday, January 16 at the Firehouse Gallery, 4:30-6pm

·         Heather Kelley - author of Sugar
Friday, January 22 at Champlain College - Alumni Auditorium, 7-8:30pm
Saturday, January 23 at the Firehouse Gallery, 4:30-6pm

·         Jonathan Blow - author of Braid, winner of the 2006 "Game Design" award
Friday, January 29 at Champlain College - Alumni Auditorium, 7-8:30pm
Saturday, January 30 at the Firehouse Gallery, 4:30-6pm

·         Randy Smith - author of Spider: Secret of Bryce Manor
Friday, February 5 at Champlain College - Alumni Auditorium, 7-8:30pm
Saturday, February 6 at the Firehouse Gallery, 4:30-6pm

A closing reception with musical performance, film, and an artist talk with Paolo Pedercini, author of Faith Fighter and The McDonald's Videogame and more, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010 from 4:30 to 6 pm at the Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts.

Game (Life) is sponsored by The Communication and Creative Media Division at Champlain College, UVM College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and is an important part of Burlington City Arts, which is dedicated to the promotion of excellence, experimentation, and education in all forms of contemporary art.

Champlain College, founded in 1878, offers "Education in Three Dimensions" - a distinctive educational approach to professionally focused majors, developing life skills and leadership based on critical and creative thinking. It has nearly 2,000 campus-based undergraduate students on campus and is ranked in the top tier of Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the North by 2009 America's Best Colleges, published by U.S. News & World Report. To learn more about Champlain College, visit www.champlain.edu.

 

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For more information:

 

CONTACT:  Eric Ford, BCA Marketing Director, 802.865-5355 or at eford@ci.burlington.vt.us