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Gamers, Your Video Games are Considered Art !

John Smith/WAER News

Taking a trip back to look at video game technology is a few clicks away at the Everson Museum in Syracuse.  A traveling exhibit is bringing back some old favorites.  WAER’s Resident Gamer, John Smith reports.

It’s not a typical place that you’d associate with video games but, they’re apparently an art form. Computer programs that have had our attention glued to screens for years.  The games have even touched off countless rivalries! Sorry if I mentioned a sore spot.  The Art of Video Games is a national touring exhibition presented by the Smithsonian.  You can say this assignment has at least part of my name right on it !

  • Game SFX starts / John:  “Here we go.  I never thought I’d be playing a video game at the Everson, especially Pac Man.”  

So, if you’re a gamer, Everson Assistant Director Sarah Massett says there’s plenty of room for players. 
“We have five playable kiosks within the exhibition galleries.  So you can stop for a few minutes and try your hand at PAC MAN, Super Mario Brothers, Mist of the Secret of Monkey Island or Flower.  And then carry on and check out the rest of the exhibits, as well.”

Credit John Smith/WAER News
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John Smith/WAER News
The Pac Man Exhibit is real, interactive gaming station.

  • John:  “Oooh, these ghosts.  They’re moving fast today!  But, the Pac Man on the screen is not moving so fast.”

So how does clearing boards of pellets and eating some extra berries, bananas and pretzels conform to being labeled as museum material ? 
(Sarah Massett): "This exhibition is the perfect compliment of how video games really encompass performing arts, music, visual arts, cinematography.  It’s the perfect package of so many artistic mediums.

  • John:  “Let’s eat a few here.  Oh, I think they got me.  Not enough time to play the rest of the game but, you can have fun here at the Everson.  (Pac Man SFX: Boink-oink !)

The Art of Video Games is on display at the Everson Museum in Syracuse through January 19, 2014.   

John Smith has been waking up WAER listeners for a long time as our Local Co-Host of Morning Edition with timely news and information, working alongside student Sportscasters from the Newhouse School.