During the reception for “The Almost Metal Collective” exhibition at A+D Gallery in Chicago (Thursday, 1/31), I did a performance recreating the process of videogame-based farming and leveling up in meat-space.

Generally, farming in videogames is the practice of acquiring/accumulating special items (like the gems I fabricated during my performance) in order to become stronger or gain intelligence/spirit/life or reveal secrets about the game storyline. In this performance, I “farmed” gems through the repetitive process of cutting, folding, and hotgluing paper patterns together. Then I played a variety of 8-bit game sound effects for every few gems I created, indicating that I had leveled up!

I also leveled up when I had conversations with strangers, gave hugs to friends, and gave gems away.

I’m exhibiting a new series of works collectively titled “Kill Screen” through March, 2013 as a part of the Department of Art Faculty exhibition.  Reception is Friday, February 8th from 5-7pm…come check it out!

I’m in a group exhibition this month titled Almost Metal at A+D Gallery, Columbia College (Chicago, IL).  The exhibition runs from January 10-February 16, 2013.  I’ll be doing a performance during the artists’ reception on Jan. 31st…stay tuned for more details!

Images below:  Respawn a site specific installation.  5 “dead” versions of my WoW character Kryzzik are scattered in the Interactive Arts + Media building, Columbia College (Chicago, IL), 5 versions “respawned” in A+D Gallery as a part of Almost Metal.

Images below:  Kill screen for a theoretical video game….   Digital prints mounted to plastic. (left-40″ x 40″; right- 10″x10″ each). 2013.

“Respawn”–part one of a site-specific installation at A+D Gallery in Chicago.  Screenprint on paper sculptures of my WoW character Kryzzik (a Mage Goblin). 2012.