[pile of secrets]

[pile of secrets]

Video series, game footage, monitors
dimensions variable
2011-2013

What is a game but a pile of secrets?

I captured several terabytes of video imagery from computer games published from 1980 – present, exploring the question, “What makes a game a game?” Common ludic elements –typically formal elements — across video games are assembled from a massive game playing database. Thematic videos from the series include Jump, Ascend, Dying, Key, Treasure, Corridor, Shooting, and Doors.

The project manifests a structural analysis of games in a creative form, exploring the quintessential elements central to the experience of digital play. The videos are shown in infinite loops alluding not only the repetitive elements but also to the repeat plays that games offer as a typical part of their structure.

Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions

  • Telfair Museum, Savannah, Georgia, February 2012

Group Exhibitions

  • Access Kafka, Jewish Museum Berlin 2024
  • Gameplay: Video Game Culture, Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, December 2019 – May 2020
  • ZKM Gameplay Mobile, Representing of the State of Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Germany, November – December 2013
  • ZKM Gameplay Exhibition, ZKM | Center for Art and Media, Karlsruhe, Germany, June 21 2013-2014
  • Play Station Exhibition, Postmasters Gallery, New York, New York, December 2011
  • STRP Festival, Eindhoven, Netherlands, November 2011
  • NextLevel Festival, Köln, Germany, November 2011
  • ArtEZ Studium Generale, PLAY Festival, Zwolle, Netherlands, 2012

Press

Additional Credits

Sukdith Punjasthitkul, Matthew Cloyd, Mehta Punjasthitkul and Han Lee