It's about time that the Smithsonian got around to this. From March 16 to September 30 of 2012, the Smithsonian will be hosting an exhibition entitled "The Art of Video Games." According to the Smithsonian Web site:
"The Art of Video Games is one of the first exhibitions to explore the forty-year evolution of video games as an artistic medium, with a focus on striking visual effects and the creative use of new technologies. The exhibition will feature some of the most influential artists and designers during five eras of game technology, from early developers such as David Crane and Warren Robinett to contemporary designers like Kellee Santiago and David Jaffe. It also will explore the many influences on game designers, and the pervasive presence video games have in the broader popular culture, with new relationships to video art, film and television, educational practices, and professional skill training. ... The exhibition will feature eighty games through still images and video footage. Five games will be available for visitors to play for a few minutes, to gain some feel for the interactivity--Pac-Man, Super Mario Brothers, The Secret of Monkey Island, Myst, and World of Warcraft. In addition, the galleries will include video interviews with developers and artists, large prints of in-game screen shots, and historic game consoles."
But that's not all. Not only is the Smithsonian giving video games the recognition they deserve, but they're also letting video game fans contribute to the selection of which games will be included in the exhibition. From February 14 through April 7, 2011, you can vote for 80 games from a pool of 240 proposed choices in various categories, divided by era, game type, and platform. The video games listed on the ballot were selected by exhibition curator Chris Melissinos, founder of Past Pixels and collector of video games and gaming systems, who worked with the Smithsonian and an advisory group consisting of game developers, designers, industry pioneers, and journalists.
Do your part for American culture--click here to vote for your favorite games today so they can become part of a Smithsonian exhibit tomorrow!
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