[-empyre-] Game Art as an art subculture?

[Lichty, Patrick]

"When I see developer behind a particular game genre pining for official artistic recognition, I take that as a sign that the particular genre at hand is about to die.  What it means is the functional value and self distribution capabilities of the game have been diluted (through the machinations of the marketplace) to the point that they are desperately (likely subconsciously) looking for some external system to help prop up their value."

"That statement likely puts me in the camp of not wanting the designation of 'art', at least not from those offering official certification.   We aren't dead yet!  :-)"

Well, sure, institutional canonization (like net art in 99-2000) formalizes/formulizes (!?) a genre, setiing up preconcieved expectation by the audience and curatorial community, and sucking the life out of the thing, and it "mainstreams".  Happens with most things, and when it does, it enters the gallery and people collect it.

I agree that the most exciting art is not often formal", but social/relational, interventionist, atypical, I totally agree.  Everything from Interventionism to lowbrow toys have been a big influence on me.



Patrick Lichty
Asst. Professor
Dept of Interactive Arts & Media
Columbia College Chicago
916/1000 S. Wabash Ave #104
Chicago, IL USA
"Never mind the logic of the thing..." - H. S. Thompson