The UTD Mercury

Media Credit: Albert Ramirez "Impshorv" by Max Kazemzadeh has the figure on screen respond to hand motions and actions, like stumble and trip.

The sights and sounds of the ON_game exhibit in the Visual Arts Building present a stimulating glimpse of various artwork inspired by video games and dig up more than a few fond memories of time spent playing games.

The exhibit on opening night seemed a bit surreal. It's not every day you get to see professors and students all dressed up to look at Barna Kantor's "Space Invader 3D," which is essentially a cluster of whirring computer box fans in front of an illuminated monitor that bears a striking resemblance to an alien from the classic Midway arcade game "Space Invader,"

Throughout the building there was a varied selection of pieces from easily recognizable icons and characters to more abstract concepts and designs.

While a fair amount of the art pieces are presented on more conventional mediums, there are several that stand apart. At the exhibit several small televisions line the wall with headset attachments. Paul Slocum's "TNG" shows footage from "Star Trek: The Next Generation" while the monitor next to it shows a large pixilated skull, aptly titled "Ssskull" by Lovid.

"Impshorv" by Max Kazemzadeh goes one step farther than light and sound with an interactive work of art. At first glance, there is simply a projector displaying a man walking back and forth across a patch of dirt. If you run your hand across the projection, however, it's possible to make the person trip and fall.

"There was no description and when someone demonstrated it, it was really cool," said Cidnye Stott, arts and performance senior.

Aside from the fact it being amusing to make the character trip, the interaction in the artwork brought to mind questions about interactivity, games and games as art.

Even if you have little interest in video games, the artwork of ON_game features beautiful paintings and sculpture. It's also one of the few places where you can see a painting of Mario on the cross. After Nov. 29, ON_game will be moving on.

Article Tools