Are you a gamer? MK Gallery needs your help and is putting out an open call for specific games and consoles to feature in its next exhibition Larry Achiampong: Wayfinder.
While loans to art galleries are usually considered to be paintings or sculptures MK Gallery is seeking loans of a different kind: Ultra Street Fighter II; Mario Kart; Splatoon… and not only the games but consoles too: Nintendo Switch and more.
These ‘works of art’ will feature in Gaming Events which form part of Achiampong’s first solo exhibition where we invite visitors to play, relax and enjoy the games that continue to inspire the artist.
Video games are integral to Larry’s work, as he proudly asserted: ‘I’m a gamer, it’s the language I speak with! I love playing with environments where anything feels possible. I didn’t have the privilege of visiting art galleries when I was younger, but I saw art through a different portal: the Sega MegaDrive and Super Nintendo.’
For those gamers who can loan a game or console to be part of the events, MK Gallery invites them to drop off their hardware and fill in a loan form so they can be returned. Those who wish to donate a game or console can book a free season ticket to the exhibition.
The open call ends on Friday 16 September 2022. Gamers can contact Alice Riddy ariddy@mkgallery.org with any queries.
The Gallery already has a great selection of games which will be available to play across spaces in the building and at gaming events. However, the exhibition co-ordinators are keen to receive these multiplayer games:
- Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers
- Mario Kart (any)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
In addition, they are seeking Nintendo Switch consoles, Switch pro-controllers and other spare consoles for the multiplatform games: PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox X/S.
Larry Achimapong (b. 1984) is a multi-media artist working in film, sculpture, installation, sound, collage, music and performance. Immersed in popular culture and rooted in communal and personal heritage, Larry’s work explores post-colonial and post-digital identities, and the deeply entrenched inequalities in society today.
