Talking about Video Games

Group discussion(27.09.13):

About the definition of art:

We all agreed that art should be expressive, representational, 

and able to reflect the artist's idea/philosophy. It has to provoke 

human's feeling and thought. It should contain aesthetic qualities

(visual elements). And it has to be creative or innovative.

Some of us suggested that art should be educational, that can bring 

knowledge to the audience or let the audience to learn something.

Some thought that art should be entertaining.

We covered some of Adam's ideas about art and some didn't. Adam

defined art by using few aspects, 1. expressive or representational,

2. long-lasting, 3. interactive, 4. having visual aesthetic qualities,

5. making the audience feel/think something, 6. not formulaic but creative.

Video game can be considered as art if it does not focus on

commercial purpose. If the game developer intends to expressing something reflective or thought-provoking, of course, in a good way but not encouraging violence or pornography, it is already an art.

Super Mario Clouds was created by Cory Arcangel in 2002. It was

developed from a video game of Nintendo, called Super Mario Bros. The players have to control the character, Mario, to come across different obstacles and take down enemies to win the game. But Cory Arcangel hacked the game and transformed it into an alternative way. The artist removed all the items/elements in the game, except the clouds. So Super Mario Clouds is a work showing only clouds scrolled over the screen.

I would consider Super Mario Clouds as an artwork. If talking

about the definition of art in present days, most of us will agree that it is the most important for artists to express themselves through their artwork. And this has become a valuable universal value for art  in the contemporary world. If a person create a work that intends to show, or arouse something from his mind, this can be an art. Super Mario Clouds can really meet this idea. Cory Arcangel created the work because he found that it was the most expressive way for him to convey the idea of communication and technology advancement in culture. And this was the thought he conveyed

to the audience.

Also, the work is full of creativity and imagination. It was not

something formulaic or standardized. It contained the artist's own style, own thought and own value. He opened a different direction and possibility for a simple video game to be art. Art really needs creativity to show for something new and never been seen before, and that is why art is so fascinating.

However, I would have to say that, although it is an art, can it

be classified as a video game? There is no doubt that Super Mario Bros is a game, but Super Mario Clouds has already turned it in a different way. In my opinion, game is something that involves the interaction and participation of the players/audiences. That is the basic idea of a game. But Super Mario Clouds seems to lack the participation of the audiences. I think it would be better if it was classified as animation or simply digital art.