Smithsonian to Offer Art of Video Games Exhibit in 2012

If you've never been to the Smithsonian, you're missing out on seeing examples of some of our greatest efforts throughout time in areas including history, science, media, and the arts. While many areas of a museum may not be equally as interesting to everyone, if you're a gamer, perhaps a new and upcoming exhibit, The Art of Video Games, will have you scheduling a trip.

The Smithsonian, or the Smithsonian American Art Museum to be more precise, will be showcasing a new exhibition next Spring through Fall (that is, in the year 2012). The Art of Video Games exhibit which is scheduled to open on March 16, 2012, and run through September 30^th, 2012, will focus on artistic and technological innovations and advancements in the popular and growing medium of video games. Specific areas of focus are to include artwork and visual effects, influences on pop culture, and relationships to other media including film and training platforms. As the exhibit will primarily consist of still images and video, visitors will be happy to know that Pac-Man, Super Mario Brothers, The Secret of Monkey Island, Myst, and World of Warcraft are scheduled to be on hand as playable games for audiences to experience. Old school gamers and historians will also be pleased to know that works by David Crane of Activision fame, and Adventure's Warren Robinett are reported to be featured.

Plans for the upcoming exhibit are in the works now. The exhibit is marked to feature 80 gaming titles from an available list of 240, and is being established to recognize the work accomplished over the last 40 years. Of interest, the Smithsonian in calling upon the public to have a say in which game titles are included in the display. Currently at the Smithsonian website, computer users can register to vote on their favorite 80 game titles from the available that are spread across a variety of categories that include era, game genre, and gaming platform. The choices included in the categories were selected by gaming industry professionals and pioneers, journalists, and the exhibition's curator Chris Melissinos who is an industry veteran and avid game collector.

Voting is currently taking place at the website (beginning February 14^th 2011) until April 7^th, with the results being posted in May. More information including updates can be found at the museum's website. Additional information can also be found via Twitter with the hashtag #taovg and by following the museum's twitter account at @americanart

Sources/Resources:

Smithsonian American Art Museum