Art Inspired By Video Games

1
Art Inspired By Video Games

• Roger Levy
• University of Baltimore

2
2 Sources of Culture

• Industry
• Consumers

3
That is

• Art based on video games, like all forms of art,
  is made both for commercial purposes, and for
  fun.
• Either way the making of video game art objects
  serves various human needs, and contributes to
  the evolution of culture.

4
Commercial Video Game Art

• A.K.A. Merchandizing or Milking
• Like the video games they are based on, serve the
  human need for Diversion.
• Are fundamentally extensions of established
  markets.

5
Not always art

• Usually dont express much beyond the game they
  came from.
• Soundtracks, promotional posters, baseball caps,
  pins, and so on rarely carry any meaning on the
  basis that they are cookie-cutter goods with
  brands stamped on them.

6
History

• Art from games has been made since companies
  first realized they could merchandize off of
  games.

7
Action Figures

• Rooted in tradition of sculpture, even though
  mass-produced.
• Bleeds into toys

8
Functional Objects

• Hidden or no trademark.
• More possibility to attach meaning.

9
Movies

• SMB Loosely connected vision mixed reactions
  but largely disliked
• Tomb Raider - 131M (1st)
• MK 70M (2nd)
• SH Stands on its own for being the first video
  game movie to capture the feel of the original
  almost completely.
• TRON an example of a movie inspired by the new
  phenomenon of video games in general.
• Emotional connection
• Desire to watch people play the game

10
Folk-y Art

• Gallery art
• Functional art

11
Sculpture

• Machines - http//www.digitalmediatree.com/tommood
  y/writing/videogames/

12
Sculpture

• xBlocks - http//milano.interaction-ivrea.it/?p49

13
Sculpture

• Pepakura or Papercraft

14
I AM 8 BIT Show

• Validation

15
I AM 8 BIT Show
16
Crafts

• Emotional connection on deeper level

17
Costumes
18
Performance

• Video Game Music Live
• Mega 64
• Human Space Invaders