Video games are art

          Earlier in this month we discussed whether video games are art or not. We watched a TED talk video where a woman demoed some indie games that supposedly represented art, addressing Roger Ebert who in return provided a lengthy response claiming video games are in fact not art. However, I find that the lady did not at all provide a convincing argument that video games are art and used weird examples for games that most people do not know of. I firmly believe video games can be art and even her talk did not convince me. According to Wikipedia, "Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items (often with symbolic significance) in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect." And I think that all video games contain at least some of these elements. The process by which video games are even made requires art to design characters or levels, whether it's fictional or an actual representation of real life. I think of video games as interactive art because the makers use a process of purposely arranging items in a way that stimulates one or more of the senses, emotion, and intellect - whether it's a sports game, first-person shooter, or a platformer genre, its all the same.

          Today, the fourth installment, Assassins Creed: Revelations was released and is considered a great historical, visually appealing game of our time. The game takes place in real locations from the 15th century such as Rome or Constantinople, with accurate depictions of the architecture and culture of that time. The world is alive with people walking everywhere that respond accordingly to your actions while you explore the city, being able to scale and run on top of any seen building. The storyline is very rememberable and has real people like Leonardo Da Vinci who helps invents new weapons or gadgets for you.  Having played the game itself, it is very aesthetically pleasing and immersive, I feel like I am Ezio, the assassin, running through ancient Rome seeking to complete assignments and rid the Borgia influence that is condemning my people. The cutscenes are just as well produced as the gameplay, with full dialogue and virtual characters showing real emotion in their voice and actions and adds to the realism and provides a background for the upcoming mission. I think these reasons alone and my senses being affected by it proves that video games are art. And in the game there are art shops that let you buy paintings that increase revenue for your city...some works actually recognizable by artist. When I play this game I always buy the art when I have the money because I felt like the developers want the player to do this and buying enough art proves to be beneficial in the long run.

          Furthermore, an actual art book was created for this game alone to match it's fancy production values in the form of an encyclopedia. Besides just the amazing artwork contained in this book, there is character bios, historical notes, and in-depth explanations of the game's backstory. 

          This book is the clearest example that video games are in fact art. An actual "art book" that solely contains content from a video game....a video game that is widely regarded for its spectacular visuals and historical story. 

Computing and the Graffiti Arts

          The Graffiti Research Lab is a group that promotes public art, in this case - graffiti. However, graffiti in the sense of art placed on public property, not necessarily criminally vandalizing a wall, their art is much more sophisticated than that. The Graffiti Research Lab utilizes technology to create less than commonplace art that can still be seen in public, except it actually can be regarded as art instead of a teenager spray painting their alias on private property.

          One of their works came in the form of "LED Throwies." These are LED markers that can be self-made with 10mm LED's, button-size lithium battery, and a strong magnet all taped together. Then, these "throwies" can be thrown on any magnetic surface (preferably out of the reach of people who might want to spoil the fun) and stay lit for around two weeks. Also, if bought in bulk, each throwie can cost less than $1. The cool thing about these is that it doesn't deface property or cause any damage whatsoever. It is merely a light, or depending on the artist, be an actual design or picture if enough LED's are used. If I saw one of these in public, I think I would be more appreciate than apprehensive. I think the fact that it lights up would intrigue most viewers and since it's removable it really does no harm.

          Similarly, the same group created a pixelated graffiti printer that allows you to tag an entire wall (or car) using a customized dot matrix message. This rig costs $280 and uses 7 cans of spray paint that's controlled by Arduino and solenoid valves to print a message when dragged across a surface. Using this device you can create large written messages in sort of a "propaganda" sense, very efficient and cleanly.  

          Not necessarily more artistic than normal graffiti; it provides a new medium and application of creating art, and shows how technology is used to simplify - and totally reinvent - the process of creating street art or graffiti. A video of the rig being demonstrated can be seen here