Smithsonian Features "The Art of Video Games"
Mar 16, 2012 | 2:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: DL DM 2MM, BA Bronze, Various Hotels
Posts: 10,188
Smithsonian Features "The Art of Video Games"
MSNBC: Smithsonian Features "The Art of Video Games"
Interesting exhbit...especially for those of us who have grown up on/around video games!
Interesting exhbit...especially for those of us who have grown up on/around video games!
“The Art of Video Games,” one of the first major exhibits to explore the 40-year evolution of video games as an artistic medium, will open March 16 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.
On display until Sept. 30, the exhibit features 80 video games, selected with the help of the public, which was asked by the Smithsonian early last year to choose their favorites from a pool of 240; games were selected for their graphic excellence, artistic intent and innovative design. Presented in the exhibit through still images and video footage, the 80 selected games demonstrate the evolution of the video game medium.
On display until Sept. 30, the exhibit features 80 video games, selected with the help of the public, which was asked by the Smithsonian early last year to choose their favorites from a pool of 240; games were selected for their graphic excellence, artistic intent and innovative design. Presented in the exhibit through still images and video footage, the 80 selected games demonstrate the evolution of the video game medium.
Mar 19, 2012 | 9:05 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: WAS
Posts: 341
I was largely unimpressed with the exhibit. I wanted analysis of the art of video games--interviews with the artists about how they adapt their designs to suit the limitations and possibilities of the medium, lots of original concept art to compare to the final product, discussion of which games' visual styles influenced other games, maybe even a look at how people adapt video game designs to the real world in the form of cosplay costumes.
Instead, I got some video games to play, some very facile interviews about "hey, people, designing games is complicated and requires creativity!," and brief summaries of how game play works in a bunch of different games. Less art of video games, more introduction to video games 101. Which is fine, I guess, but I already know that stuff. I was hoping for something more.
Still makes a good carrot for dragging kids into the art museum, though, I'm sure.
Instead, I got some video games to play, some very facile interviews about "hey, people, designing games is complicated and requires creativity!," and brief summaries of how game play works in a bunch of different games. Less art of video games, more introduction to video games 101. Which is fine, I guess, but I already know that stuff. I was hoping for something more.
Still makes a good carrot for dragging kids into the art museum, though, I'm sure.
Mar 26, 2012 | 5:13 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Million Miler, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,439
I was largely unimpressed with the exhibit. I wanted analysis of the art of video games--interviews with the artists about how they adapt their designs to suit the limitations and possibilities of the medium, lots of original concept art to compare to the final product, discussion of which games' visual styles influenced other games, maybe even a look at how people adapt video game designs to the real world in the form of cosplay costumes.
Instead, I got some video games to play, some very facile interviews about "hey, people, designing games is complicated and requires creativity!," and brief summaries of how game play works in a bunch of different games. Less art of video games, more introduction to video games 101. Which is fine, I guess, but I already know that stuff. I was hoping for something more.
Still makes a good carrot for dragging kids into the art museum, though, I'm sure.
Instead, I got some video games to play, some very facile interviews about "hey, people, designing games is complicated and requires creativity!," and brief summaries of how game play works in a bunch of different games. Less art of video games, more introduction to video games 101. Which is fine, I guess, but I already know that stuff. I was hoping for something more.
Still makes a good carrot for dragging kids into the art museum, though, I'm sure.