colon cee
I know all it seems like I do recently is plug other shit, but this is something that I really feel people should see and know about. I had intended to write a post about this earlier, but I guess it’s kind of fortunate that I didn’t, seeing how the situation has been fucked over. Either or.
This is an installation at the Leipzig Games Convention in Germany titled “Invaders!”. My honest first impressions? I loved it. It’s a brilliant, shocking piece that, when experienced, apparently “delivers complex messages via simple means.” I really dug it, and I dug that it was in a place that was extremely populated by not only public, but a lot of press as well. As such, the piece has been the source of a lot of international controversy. It’s popped up on every gaming news site around, and even on several international “real” news sites as well.
I was worried about the reaction this piece was going to get. A lot of “too soons” were passed around when it first hit the net, but that was just from gamers. What would the general, god-fearing American family think? Apparently, it’s not their favourite piece of art. The artist, Douglas Edric Stanley, has since received hate mail, threats of legal action and even death threats. It kind of makes me sick. In the end, the guy decided to take the piece down, contrary to what the Computerspiele Museum had wanted, as it was simply becoming something he didn’t want it to be. He was quoted stating;
While I take full responsibility for the uncomfortable ambiguity of certain aspects of this work, it was never created to merely provoke controversy for controversy’s sake, and unfortunately, this is what the piece has now become. The American response to this work has been, frankly, immature, and lacking the sophistication and consideration that other parts of the world have so far shown the work.
I completely understand why he would want the piece turned off. The goal was not what has been achieved, and to let it go on would simply belittle his original intent. And seriously; fuck off, world. It just makes me sick to my stomach to see this bullshit reaction to something meaningful, even if that meaning hits just one person. Art is fucking art, regardless. While I feel that this really shouldn’t have happened and that this piece should have been protected, I can’t help but empathize with how the artist must feel. Knowing that this piece is being strewn in completely the wrong light.
Then again, what makes art is the audience. Once a piece is completed, it’s the audience that truly finishes the piece, and what they think of it is usually not even close to what was intended. So, who am I to complain that this shit-storm was started.
I really wish I could have experienced the piece myself.
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