SPACE INVADERS

F.A.C.T - LIVERPOOL.UK

Friday 18 December - Sunday 21 February

23 JANUARY 2010

Written by TRAVIS LEE STREET

FACT Liverpool brings games back into the foray of popular skepticism with their most recent exhibition currently on. Now, I was a huge game player in my youth (particularly drawn to Mario-esque and driving games) but fell from that particular branch of hobbies when firstly, comic books came along, then music, then girls... in about that order. But recently, I'll admit to kicking back and picking up the joystick for a little stress releaser, and this exhibition is just perfect timing.

Giant Nintendo controller by Michael Johansson              

I'd just like to admit at this point, that I can get a bit carried away with things that make me feel good (I won't dive into that bottomless pit of a conversation topic) but saying that, upon entering the exhibition space, when I saw a giant Nintendo controller that was bigger than my torso... I kind of freaked. My friends had to literally tear me away from it so we could get some work done... and I don't even like Tetris. So, good start.

LevelHead Julian Oliver [2007]              

The thing about video games, which this exhibition beautifully demonstrated, is that they are becoming more and more things that are no longer restricted to the mere confines of a box. Or, at least the box is becoming more manageable, as Julian Oliver has shown us. This game works with a projection and a series of small cubes that allows the user to navigate through a miniature world of complex mazes contained in the palm of your hand. It kept my attention for a good 5 minutes until I picked up the wrong color cube, lost my place and had to start all over again. Then I felt like I was about six again, got angry and wanted to throw the cubes at someone.

What It Is Without the Hand That Wields It Riley Harmon [2008]               

The most thought-provoking piece to my mind in the Space Invaders collection was an electronic installation piece by Riley Harmon. This piece was linked to a couple of games of Counter-Strike which dispensed a bit of red dyed water every time you killed a player. Kind of made me think about the 'simulation hypothesis' that postulates that it is highly probable that we are living in a simulated reality like the movie Tron.  Which then (of course) begs the imagination to think about all the little Player 2's families that sit mourning their losses every time a spurt of their departed's red blood hit that wall and a gamer give himself a little pat on the back.

Malfunction Mark Essen [2009]               

By far the best 'game-game' in my opinion was by Mark Essen. Malfunction is a superbly crafted piece of lo-fi indie funk. The way in which this mastermind explores new realms in the game world was astounding. I caught onto it right away and found the control mesmerizing, like this man grew up in my neighborhood and waited in line at K-Mart to get the new Super Mario games at 9am just like the rest of us. No gimmicks, no flash, (no gravity for that matter), Essen knows his stuff.

COSPlayer Cao Fei[ 2004]               

Lest you think this exhibition only consisted of games and game related installations, Cao Fei saved the day with his very apt piece on Chinese costume play. I've had a lot of experience with cosplay in Asia and let me tell you, this is a world-wide phenomenon. But the whole trend very adroitly reflects the mentality of the gamer; that fantasy is better than reality, and where possible, reality should become fantasy. This is a growing mentality that gains new converts every generation. Who knows what will happen once we perfect our implants and can, for all intents and purposes, live in these worlds? But there I go again...

A few days ago I told a friend of mine that I was going to see an exhibition on video games. He said that he thought it sounded great, and then promptly added "but is it art?" Now I'm not going to say yes or no or anything about that really. That's for you to decide. But I certainly will say that I was thoroughly entertained and left with something to share. And isn't that always the point?

http://www.fact.co.uk/