Alternate reality games and video games at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and an interactive art and technology center in Idaho Falls. How games and interactive technologies are shaping our experiences of art and art museums.
2. ALL ABOUTMEcountedshadows.com | @bathlander
2000:Worked for a summer in Yellowstone National Park.
2001:Graduated w/BA in Visual Communication, Glasgow School of Art.
2002-03:Taught English in Songjiang, China.
2003-04:Internship at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
2004-13:Worked at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
2008:“Ghosts of a Chance” ARG.
2009-12:Developed and opened The Art of Video Games exhibition.
2010:“Pheon” ARG.
2014:Moved to Idaho! Visual Arts Director, Idaho Falls Arts Council.
Opened ARTitoriumon Broadway
3. SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM
www.americanart.si.edu | facebook.com/americanart| twitter.com/americanart
flickr.com/americanartmuseum| youtube.com/americanartmuseum
4. GHOSTS OF A CHANCE (2008)
www.ghostsofachance.com
www.museumsandtheweb.com/mw2009/papers/goodlander/
An ARG is “an interactive narrative that uses the real world as a platform to tell a story that may be affected by participants’ideas or actions.” –Wikipedia
6. 1.Necklace of the Subaltern Betrayer
2.Predictor of Imminent Doom
3.Con Artists’ Replica
4.Diorama of a Travesty
5.Memory Vessel
6.Escape Quilt
9. The Online Game
68 people played
Cost per player = $500+
:(
Evaluation Reports w/UXR Consulting
Facebook Game: Alternate-Reality Games in Casual Gaming Environments
tinyurl.com/pheonfacebook
In-Museum Game: 21stCentury Skills, Museum Literacy, and Enjoyment in Museums
tinyurl.com/pheonmuseum
10. Fail #1: Narrative
“[The missions] could have been tied more tightly into the narrative; as it stands, it didn't feel much different from ordinary Facebook postings.”
“I didn't understand how or if [the missions] related to the gameplay and the storyline of Terra Tectus.”
11. Fail #2: Facebook
“Facebook games tend to have a lot of busywork with little enjoyment or reward, so there needs to be enough information about the game […] to get me into it.”
“…I do not like the idea of games/contests/etc. relying on Facebook as it results in exclusion of those of us who don't like Facebook.”
“…playing an ARG via Facebook seems rather lame. Kind of takes the punch out of it.”
“Facebooksucks.”
12. Fail #3: Marketing
“Never heard of or played the game so far. The idea is intriguing…”
“I haven't ever heard or played PHEON, but I think it would be interesting to play a game like this…”
“I did not know of it, and this type of game seems inaccessible to me. Descriptions of this type of game are often vague, and I don't know how to get involved.”
“I'd want to know more about it. I'm still a little fuzzy on what it all means.”
15. Success!
21st Century Skills:
Technology literacy
Trial and Error
Re-reading and re-considering
Talking to strangers
Inter-generational learning
Museum Literacy:
Engaging with staff
Connecting with art
Label reading and terminology
Spatial navigation and orientation
24. QUESTIONS
Do museums (especially art museums) need to include interactive elements in order to remain interesting/relevant?
How can games alter our perception of a museum or an artwork?
What is the role of social media in museums?
Are we pandering to younger audiences by using technology to interpret/engage, or is this necessary for the future of museums?
Are bricks-and-mortar museums necessary?
25. THANK YOU!
Georgina Goodlander
Visual Arts Director, Idaho Falls Arts Council
www.countedshadows.com
bathlander@gmail.com
@bathlander