If you wish to live your wildest fantasies of working a gray scale 9-5 with little other option in life, or being caught in the middle of two completely different countries trying to liberate your people, then the Euphrat Museum has the perfect event for you.
The exhibit “Learn to Play” opens today and runs through Nov. 24. A reception will feature the artists explaining and demonstrating their works on Nov. 9, from 5:30-8 p.m.
The new exhibit features video games produced by indie game designers and sculptures, video productions and arts and crafts.
Jan Rindfleisch, director of the Euphrat Museum of Art and curators James Morgan and John Bruneau chose these works not only for their artistic merit, but also their educational potential.
“The question goes beyond ‘is it art?’ It is whether it interests us, if it moves us forward, or can provide an unusual educational experience,” said Rindfleisch.
This exhibit revolves around social issues in modern society, such as war, gender roles, expectation of stereotypes, budgeting for a state and foreign policy, she said.
One of the pieces featured is Yunan Cao’s “Ping Pong Diplomacy.” Spectators are encouraged to participate taking the side of team USA or team China in a living metaphor for what has become of the relationship of the two countries.
The exhibit also includes an encompassing mural done by Sean Boyles.
Around the corner, issues and results come together in a moving presentation of what it is like for a child to live through foster care and be emancipated when coming of age.
“Unless there is someone willing to take care of them, after high school they really have nothing,” Rindfleisch said.
The children of the Euphrat Multi-discipline Arts Summer Bridge Program for Foster Youth wrote down their wishes and necessities, tuning them into a game of life called “The Bucket List.”
According to Rindfleisch, the frustration written on the walls is juxtaposed next to the De Anza Restoring Education protest posters from last spring’s Student Activists Art Show to add potency to the message that children are our future.
According to the press release for the exhibit, all of these pieces come together to teach and challenge participants as well as represent the realities of modern living.
After all, “when life is a game, how do you learn to play?” Rindfleisch asked.
Joe DeLappe’s card stock piece titled “Dead in Iraq” features the names of all soldiers who died in the Iraq war, as a memorial. (Sam Amador)
Museum-goers create their own game pieces and accoutrements for the many games of life. (Sam Amador)
Participants play on Yunan Cao’s satirical piece titled “Ping Pong Diplomacy.” (Sam Amador)
