GDC 2011: The Games We Play Art Show

by: Ben Berry - posted: 2/22/2011 10:23:00 AM

In my continuing quest to talk about things that push the boundaries of video game culture, I bring you the information on The Games We Play; an art exhibit being held in conjunction with the GDC in San Francisco March 3rd through March 31st at the Nieto Fine Art gallery. The web site for The Games We Play has some sample pieces, and talks about both the submission and judging process of the art included, as this will be a juried show. 

You can continue on to read the press release, but even if you don't I definitely recommend visiting the site. 

PRESENT CREATIVE AND NIETO FINE ART PARTNER TO PRESENT "THE GAMES WE
PLAY" ART SHOW AT GDC

Unleashing The Artistic Voices Within The Gaming World; The First
Annual Art Show Highlights Top Game Industry Talent From Companies
Including Blizzard, EA, Zynga, Wizards of The Coast And More

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -February 22, 2011 - Present Creative, a leader in
the casual and social game industry, along with Nieto Fine Art, a
contemporary San Francisco art gallery, join forces in reimagining the
boundaries of "fine art" with the first annual "Games We Play" art
show.

"The Games We Play" will open to the public at the Nieto Fine Art
gallery space on 565 Sutter Street on March 3rd, 2011 from 7:00 pm to
11:00 pm. All are welcome to attend. More information can be found at
http://www.presentcreative.com/artshow/

The idea came from the simple notion that many creative individuals in
the video game industry are also formally trained artists. The Game
Developers Conference seemed like the perfect opportunity to launch
the event and a way to offer something different to convention
attendees other than the usual mixers and shmoozing sessions.

"The Games We Play" art show is the brainchild of the executives of
Present Creative who felt that artists of the gaming industry lacked a
suitable outlet for their talents to be celebrated outside of their
day jobs. "Pixelated princesses and cutesy critters pay the bills",
says Present Creative Cofounder and CEO Ben Sutherland, "but, there's
a wealth of imagination and talent that lies virtually unseen due to
the commercial nature of the gaming industry. We're just providing an
outlet for that creativity.

For NFA Director John Hass, "The Games We Play" serves a dual role: it
honors the art origins within video game stylings and celebrates the
rebellious nature of art in its many forms. "It's important to shine a
light on another spectrum in the arena of art," Hass says. "This is a
unique departure from fine art that adds another dimension to our
program."

Present Creative and Nieto Fine Art have brought together an all-star
line-up of both established and budding artists who have worked on
titles including Mafia Wars, Farmville, Diablo II, Hellgate: London,
Jewel Quest and Peggle Nights from some of the industry's top game
companies including Electronic Arts, Zynga, Blizzard, Wizards of the
Coast, and Games Workshop.

The 26 Bay Area computer graphics artists featured in the show were
given one directive: give us your art, uninhibited by business
constraints. From the wildly imaginative story-images of illustrator
Michael Dashow to the robotic sculptures of Present Creative Cofounder
Zachary Present; from Kelly Denato's dreamily surreal paintings to the
whimsy and humor of Sirron Norris' prints-these artists have
delivered.

The exhibit will have its gala opening on the evening of March 3, 2011
from 7pm-11pm and will run in conjunction with the Game Developers
Conference, held annually at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. To
RSVP for the Opening Event - thegamesweplay@flavorgroup.com

Nieto Fine Art is located at 565 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA.