News/Research

Games and Politics

10 Feb, 2017

Games and Politics

Bonnie Ruberg, BCNM alum, and Greg Niemeyer, faculty, are taking part in a panel discussion for the opening reception of the Goethe-Institut San Francisco's GAMES AND POLITICS exhibition! The exhibit will be open from Feb. 18th to Mar 3rd, with an opening reception on the 17th at 6:30. The panel will be on March 1st at 6:30!

GAMES AND POLITICS is an interactive exhibition that examines how computer games unfold their political potential. With the aid of obviously politically ambitious computer games of the past twelve years, it explores the scope and limits of the genre, constructing a counter-position within the entertainment industry.

The exhibit wants to present examples of various levels of the political sphere in games that can for the most part be played at the exhibition itself. The exhibition curators (Stephan Schwingeler of the ZKM and Jeannette Neustadt-Grusche of the Goethe-Institut / co-curator: Sophie Rau of the Goethe-Institut) have also asked both experts in media and cultural studies and game developers about the political potential of computer games. Their answers will be presented in mini-documentaries, a film introducing the exhibition and the exhibition catalogue.

The Goethe-Institut SF, is part of the Federal Republic of Germany’s international cultural institute. They promote the study of German abroad and organize cultural events together with American institutions. The cultural focus of the institute concentrates on film and media, as well as modern art. In addition to cultural programming, the institute organizes public discussions pertaining to contemporary social-political events.

The exhibit is presented in cooperation with ZKM | Center for Art and Media

Read more about the exhibition here!