Games They Play

Khoj presents two exhibitions that juxtapose art with games and gaming technology

The resilient white building of Khoj Studios in Khirkee currently hosts a gaming arcade of sorts. Enter the exhibition room on the first floor and one is faced with multiple touch screens,some aided by a mouse. We see the award-winning game Facade by Michael Mateas and Andrew Stern,an artificial intelligence-based interactive story,where you encounter characters who appear to have a mind of their own,but respond to the way they are programmed. On the front wall,a 17-minute documentary,Parallel,explores the use of nature in video games. In a glass casket lies the traditional Indian game of ganjifa card set,or the game of pallankuzhi.

These games are precedents to a larger two-set exhibition,titled Of Games: Frameworks in Question. Created by some of the well-known names across the world,these games were seen as reference points at a five-week-long residency that began on August 18,a result of which forms the other half of the exhibition called Of Games: Theatre in Code. Seven artists from across the country contribute their individual research material and narratives,and channelise them into the artistic expression and technological inquiry of gaming.

There are references from philosophy and literature among others and we look at gaming not just for its technical aspect, says Prayas Abhinav,who curated the exhibition along with Charu Maithani and Pooja Sood. This is the first time in India that weve had such an exhibition of games. We usually have showcases by industries and studios to market their own products,but not really about the outcome of a process, he says.

The artists Gayatri Kodikal,Akshay Raj Singh Rathore,Dhruv Jani,Munkao,Pramod Kumar,Vishal K Dar and Zedeck Siew were free to apply their research spaces,and were aided by technicians and programmers. Except Dhruv,none of these artists have made a game, says Abhinav.

Kadikal brings her debut attempt with the documentation of a 17th century Georgian queen,who,during her diplomatic mission,was killed in Shiraz,Iran,with her game titled,The Travelling Hand: A Ludic Dream across the Sea. Dar uses the environment of Google Earth for his single-player game. It lets one fly a character over the virtual landscape and manipulate it by several commands,including mass destruction. Kumar,on the other hand,works with Metri-que Game,which looks like Checkers but deals with the subject of duality. While choosing reference games,the curators noted that there wasnt much in India. That is why we picked up the traditional games of ganjifa cards and pallankuzhi. Video games are made here,but we just need an expansion for video games. Rather than being seen as technological toys,we plan to expand this residency and take on the challenge of this media, says Abhinav.

The exhibitions are on till September 29. Contact 65655873

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