Opening Celebration | Open World: Video Games and Contemporary Art at OK Contemporary

According to a 2018 Entertainment Software Association survey, more than 166 million Americans play video games. Visual artists are gamers, too, yet video games are rarely examined as a major influence on contemporary art. Open World draws attention to this phenomenon through the presentation of artworks including painting, sculpture, textiles, prints, drawings, animation, video games, video game modifications and game-based performances and interventions by makers who self-identify as artists.

The artworks in Open World reference a broad cross-section of games, ranging from early text adventure and arcade games to modern massively multiplayer online roleplaying games and first-person shooters. Participating artists are influenced by some of the most beloved video game franchises, including Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, The Sims and Final Fantasy.