In its third run, GC (Games Convention) ART 2008 is set for its big day. Well, four days, really, as it's taking place this August 21 to 24. Starting then, in Hall 2 of the Leipzig Exhibition Centre, in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany, an exhibit section will be held to explore the idea of games as art and will span a range of topics. GC ART is considered Europe's "benchmark fair for interactive entertainment".
The four exhibitions to be held are titled "Space Invaders. From Outer Space", "History & Culture", "Machinima" and "Digital Beauties". Who wouldn't want to attend an event where a place full of Germans talk Space Invaders? More than that, some workshops will allow guests the opportunity to design small art works for themselves.
A short rundown on each of the events, then. First up, Space Invaders:
Space Invaders. From Outer Space
30 Years of Space Invaders - The Anniversary Show
The Berlin Computer Game Museum and the GC pay homage to a gaming classic, featuring "Invaders!", the main event. This work puts Space Invaders in a social context; artist Douglas Edric Stanley has it set up so players steer a virtual canon and fire it against attackers. The background theme used is of the World Trade Center attacks in 2001.
"My work shows how Space Invaders can be seen as a social narrative and related to historical narratives, without losing any of its poetic power", says Stanley.
GC ART: History & Culture
The big Retro-Gaming Event
Exactly what it says: an event showing off historical computers, consoles, and tons of accessories, the exhibit's aim is to trace backwards from today's hi-res 3-D world. Individual exhibits in greater detail will be found at the Retro-Forum. And of course, there will be plenty of old titles.
GC ART: Machinima
The Art of Film-Making with Computer Games
If you aren't familiar with the term machinima yet, you've probably already seen it in action. It is the process of rendering CGI in real-time, interactive 3-D engines (as we find in games), instead of your typical animation software. You can find tons of machinima online (YouTube), some here on Neoseeker, and it's also been featured on popular gaming shows like X-Play and Pure Pwnage, as well as on non-gaming shows like South Park. Often it's used for comic effect, though anything can be done with it, really.
Anyway, this special shows how machinima can be used for the production of 3-D animated films. Game worlds we know and love are used as film sets, and so it plays out. The Machinima Cinema will be playing a selection of the most outstanding productions throughout the day. Sounds terribly entertaining. Personally I'd love to see some outstanding Zelda machinima, or maybe Age of Conan.
There's also the "Machinima Laboratory", which lets visitors use computers to play with the different types of methods used to create this kind of work, get tips from experts, and try out some new input devices.
GC ART: Digital Beauties
From Pencil Sketch to Computer Game
Exploring the blurring of computer-generated characters and real photographs of people, Digital Beauties will present over 20 extraordinary pieces of work from artists the world over.
The "3-D Laboratory" lets guests try out the software for themselves with advice from creators.
All in all, sounds like a pretty fun time!
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