General
…celebrating the convergence of games and art.
“To play is to experiment with chance.” (Novalis)
By combining courage for experimentation and joy in gaming, A MAZE. celebrates the convergence of computer games and art. A MAZE. is more than a festival – it is a series of events as well as a conceptual format that offers a regularly emerging platform for interdisciplinary exchange. Amalgamation with other media is particularly desirable. Creatives are encouraged to break down the computer game and surpass established concepts of play. Not only are artists, designers, scientists and computer whizzes offered a platform to communicate, express ideas, learn from each other and experiment together, but the specific focus on promoting the joy in experimenting reveals the creative potential that lies behind the ambivalent medium of the computer games. The person using the games forms the central focus of these events. Intersections especially with related media such as film, TV, literature or music offer further sources for inspiration. Playful interaction encourages interpersonal exchange. A MAZE. develops this urgently needed action space by combining a diversity of individually designed modules, which are continuously tested and expanded through regular events.
Modules
The A MAZE. Exhibition presents multiple facets of the complex field of so-called Game Art. The subject matter includes both: art inspired by computer games, and art aiming to create new forms of gaming. A rather dense variant is offered through the A MAZE. Playground – a small installation including a diverse selection of delicious games. The A MAZE. Award follows this direction by honoring outstanding computer game creations. The artistic content and cultural relevance of computer games are discussed within the context of the A MAZE. Games Culture Circle, whereas the A MAZE. Jump’n Run series offers a different approach: it celebrates interpersonal exchange through playful experiments with the musical attributes of computer technology. The highlight in every A MAZE. year is its Festival - commenting on the convergence of games, art, and other media.
Festivals
2010: A MAZE. Interact – in cooperation with Club Transmediale, CTM.10 Music in other Media (on games, art, and music).
2009: A MAZE. First Step – as an extended module of the international design festival, DMY (on games, art, and design).
2008: A MAZE. Kick Off.
A MAZE. was founded in January, 2008, by Thorsten S. Wiedemann and Michael Liebe.
A MAZE. is grateful for the support by Artificial Technology, Computerspiele Museum, Null2 Webhosting, DIGAREC and European Media Studies.
