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ARCADE // ART GAMES IN A MINE

The exhibition ARCADE was part of the digital art festival MINE06 that took place in the limestone mines of Thingbæk situated in the northern part of Jutland, Denmark, in October 2006.

 
Arcade
linie

Can computer games be considered as art? Can computer games be used as political tools? Can computer games go beyond the screen? ARCADE showed 10 experimental, artistic, modified and political game works that challenge the audience’s view of computer games and open the field of art for new experiences.

The official programme for MINE06 can be downloaded here: www.oneo.dk

Project coordinator: Emil Bach Sørensen
Idea: Thomas Petersen
Concept development: Eva Friis, Kristine Ploug, Tatiana Lyng Pedersen, Sonja Thomsen, Thomas Petersen, Emil Bach Sørensen



EXHIBITED WORKS //

EDGE BOMBER
 
EDGE BOMBER, 2006
Susigames (Germany)

"Edge Bomber" goes beyond the digital space of the computer game by utilizing physical elements. The audience can build a platform game by putting duct tape on a white background. The tape pieces are scanned by a camera and the game is played in the augmented environment.
www.susigames.com
 
SAMOROST 2
 
SAMOROST 1, SAMOROST 2 & PLANTAGE, 2003-2005
Amanita (Czech Republic)

The special mix of digital folklore and organic aesthetics of Amanita Design was examined through a selection of three works. Complete versions of the games "Samorost 1" and "Samorost 2" were shown as well as the music video "Plantage" made for the Danish band Under Byen. www.amanitadesign.com
 
UNTITLED GAME
 
UNTITLED GAME, 1996-2001
Jodi (Holland/Belgium)

What happens when a computer game is ripped apart and the rubble is reassembled to abstract, eerie and barely functional digital universes. Jodi twists our views on computer games and challenges our need for control. www.untitled-game.org
 
UNREALART
 
UNREALART, 2005
Alison Mealey (England)

In Alison Mealey's installation a computer game develops independently of the audience in a closed circuit. The game is monitored and the data is used to generate poetic and ever-changing images. These images were projected directly on the mine wall. www.unrealart.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 12TH
 
SEPTEMBER 12TH , 2003
Gonzalo Frasca (Uruguay/Denmark)

The rules are deadly simple. Either you shoot or you don’t shoot. As the title implies "September 12th" is an examination of the nature of terrorism staged as a game. "September 12th" has been played by more then 3 million people on the internet, but is it a harsh political comment or a game?
www.newsgaming.com/games/index12.htm

MCDONALDS VIDEOGAME
 
MCDONALDS VIDEOGAME, 2006
Molleindustria (Italy)

"McDonalds Videogame" is a sharp parody of McDonald’s international activities. It is a controversial game forcing the player to make money at the expense of the consumers and the environment. McDonalds Videogame is a computer game used as a tool for activism. www.mcvideogame.com

PAC-MONDRIAN
 
PAC-MONDRIAN, 2004
Prize Budget for Boys (Canada)

A classic computer game meets modern art when Pacman eats his way though Piet Mondrians iconic painting “Broadway Boogie Woogie” from 1942-43. It doesn’t get any more blasphemous than this. www.pbfb.ca/pac-mondrian


MINE06 IS SUPPORTED BY //

- Danish Ministry of Culture

- Municipality of Rebild

- Spar Nord

PROJECT PARTNERS //

- One/o

- Municipality of Rebild

- AM Production

- AV Centre Aalborg

- Støvring Højskole

- ApEx/ University of Aalborg

- No Parking Production


PRESS //

- Large photo documentation in Kulturkontakten, December, 2006. Magazine published by the Danish Ministry of Culture.
Link: Description and PDF download

- "Kunst i kalkminen" (Art in the limestone mine), TV2 Nord. Feature in a televised news report, 29th October 2006.
Link: Video clip (the relevant clip starts a few minutes in)

- DR Nord P4, interview with Maskinstorm, Saturday 28th October 2006.

- Nordjyske Stiftstidende, Friday 27th October 2006.

- Nordjyske Stiftstidende, Monday 30th October 2006.