The Art of Video Gaming -- American Art Museum Exhibit

I was the kid who spent more time than I should have in front of the TV playing video games.....I will never forget my mom taking me to Super K (although that's not what it was called back then) to purchase my very first Atari with my allowance money. If I remember correctly it came with one cartridge called Combat, but I really wanted Frogger! When my Mom said she would buy me the extra game, I was the happiest girl on Earth!!

As I got older, this obsession then moved to Arcades -- where I would further continue to spend all of my allowance money on Centipede, Space Invaders, and Galaga.  Somewhere in there, there was a pause, and later in life I once again got back in the game, and quickly fell in love with Tekken!

I guess that was more information than you really needed to know, as the point of this post is to let you know how cool this exhibit, The Art of Video Gaming Exhibit,  is!!  My friend Bennett and I headed over to the American Art Museum in Chinatown to check it out.  With lots of video game history, original games showcased, and a huge Pac-Man game that you can actually play -- you really can't go wrong.  I really enjoyed the following quote:

Three Voices

Artist, Game, Player

Video games combine grapics, sound, story, and interaction to create meaningful and immersive expereinces.  Imaginative artists and designers use this medium to create worlds and tell their stories.  None of this is possible, however, without the participation of the player.  Everyone who plays a game puts a little of themselves into the experience, and takes away something that is wholly unique.  this conversation among the game, the artist, and the player is critical to understanding video games as art.

The show will be travelling internationally, and is here till September 30th.  My only complaint was it I just it ended all to soon!  So, if your looking for something to do, go check it out!

http://www.americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/archive/2012/games/