Learn to Play

When life is a game, how do you learn to play?
Games, an expression of art and life, can bridge the gaps between cultures, and be a common language that brings communities together. Game makers tell compelling stories about their lives or the world. Learn to Play includes video, board and social games by indy game designers. The exhibition offers a selection of poetic, artistic, and artful games that embody the qualities of human existence, focusing on the experience of playing and learning to play. The characteristics of these games echo human nature, teaching us who and what we are, or can be, so we can explore life directions driven by our choice and conscience.

As conduits for bridging or separating cultures, games can be used to bring communities together for improvement of economic and social conditions, or to exploit communities through political maneuvering. The games selected span the range from quick play to epic games requiring many hours to complete; they range from personal growth to those used for socially conscious purposes.

Learn to Play is also a challenge. We invite people of all backgrounds to experience and create games that express social and emotional relevance. During the course of the exhibition, workshops will be held to teach basic game design tools. At the end of the workshops we will have game challenges from which work may be curated into the exhibition.

Come play some games and/or create your own!

Exhibition dates: October 4 – November 24, 2010
Euphrat Museum of Art at De Anza College

Preview events to coincide with ZER01:
Friday Sept 17 After work: Game Challenge and Workshop
Saturday Sept 18: Exhibition (Selected Works)
Saturday 5pm: Deadline for digital submissions
Saturday Evening: Speed judging & awards

Reception with the Artists:
Tuesday, November 9, 5:30-8:00pm.
Schedule of events to include night and weekend programs.

Artists include Andrew Y Ames, Jim Babb of Socks Inc., April Banks, Brenda Brathwaite, Yunan Cao, Terry Cavanagh, Joe DeLappe, David Elliott, Jake Elliott, Mark Essen, Catherine Herdlick, Rod Humble, Molleindustria, Jason Rohrer, Susana Ruiz of Take Action Games, Adam Saltsman, Kelly Santiago and Jenova Chen of thatgamecompany, Jonatan Söderström, Superbrothers, La Mar Williams II, Robert Yang, the City of Cupertino, and more.

Curated by James Morgan and John Bruneau, with Jan Rindfleisch

For more information, please visit: http://learn.toplay.us/