Computer games is not only entertainment, but also art and political statements. An interactive exhibition to visit, play along, empathize and think.
Age restriction: 16+
Opening | 3.8.2017, 6 PM
Venue | Goethe-Institut Hanoi
Computer games can be seen as political statements, entertainment or art depending on the context. Featuring eighteen politically-ambitious computer games from the past twelve years, the touring interactive exhibition
Games and Realities examines how computer games unfold their political potential.
In these games, players experience the contingencies of political decision-making itself (
Democracy III) and witness social injustices. The games address precarious labor conditions (
Sunset), gender issues (
Perfect Woman), the surveillance state (
Touchtone), the consequences of armed conflicts (
This War of Mine), the treatment of refugees (
Escape from Woomera) and resistance against totalitarian systems (
Yellow Umbrella). Adopting the characters of often-marginalized people such as a border official, housekeeper, drone pilot or war survivor, players experience limited possibilities and negative sanctions through both the character and the game play.
Games and Realities presents 18 playable games that cover a wide range of social and political topics. In addition to trying out the games, visitors can view an introductory film about the exhibition (twenty minutes) and mini-documentaries about the games. An accompanying exhibition catalog provides background information on these independent games and their unifying concepts.
This exhibition
Games and Realities is presented by the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with the Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe (ZKM | Zentrum für Kunst und Medien in Karlsruhe).
Photo: ZKM | Zentrum für Kunst und Medien in Karlsruhe
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