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The game is multifaceted, anyone can interpret it in their own way and there are countless idioms related ("game over", "give the game away"... Yet, my dictionary points out the specificity of this activity, it's unique to humans and it makes children grow up : gratuitousness, freedom, fun and entertainment are the key words that define it. But to play the game, there are also rules to follow, imposed, chosen or ignored when we choose to cheat, it's leaving a part to chance, accepting that surprise is part of the game without being a bad loser. We notice that in the use of language, while children just play, grown ups play "something" ( the violin, soccer, the field...), with less freedom. Yet, I am convinced that the game does not have to stop when you grow old, that it is not restricted to children or madmen, and that with a little help we could spot it in unexpected places.
For the seventh edition of EDIT : we went looking for links between game, art and image. Quickly, the subject drove us to one of the most contemporary aspects of the game: it is digital and it has virtual applications. The French artist Sophie Calle goes on playing with her life and chance, Rémi Parcollet wonders about the recursive game which mobilizes artists and photographers in the exhibition space. However, most contributions in this edition focus on video games and digital art. Eric Chahi and Nicolas Bredèche wrote a dense and precise text seeking to redefine the true nature of video games and the complex relationships between the developer, the game and the player. Margherita Balzerani tells us about the famous character of Lara Croft and of its importance in the emancipation of virtual heroines and then reports on the Second Life phenomenon, as a fun escape if not a real game. Going back to the real world, Sandra Doublet gives the game back to children and demonstrates how playing can help approach works of art through mediation game activities as it is done especially well at the Palais de Tokyo.
EDIT : 's guideline is to show and distribute works of young artists, aside from the art institutions. The Portfolio section presents three artists who use photography, video games or digital installations. Etienne Clément photographs dinky toys in squats and renders a nostalgic and also morbid view of childhood, he shows us the real life of toys. Carlo Zanni conceived "Average Shoveler" a video game for people who played on the Amiga and now spend their days on the web following RSS feeds. Xavier Boissarie presents "Bandonéon" a visual and sonor digital installation where the viewer-player discovers the lights of a city standing on a surfboard. For the In:Edit section, photographer Anna Winkler takes us to a poetic ballad, by following the journey of a balloon till its tragic ending, with precious and fragile black and white prints that bring her story out of present time.
Edit : also presents interviews and a critical look at the new publications and exhibitions, which are not specifically related to our topic the game. Saskia Ooms talks with the photographer Christophe Bourguedieu about the publication of his book "Les Passagers" published by Point du Jour Editeur and Johan Swinnen evokes the work of David Claerbout, exhibited this fall in Beaubourg . Mark Lewis, Dieter Appelt, Rinko Kawauchi and the opening of the Cité de l'architecture du Patrimoine are the subjects of critical articles , the authors share their appreciation or their disappointment.
While Christmas approaches, with, as the department stores would say, "thousand of toys" we are pleased to welcome you back on EDIT: the website for this edition is dedicated to the game. And let us not forget that a game can be found anywhere, especially there where we would not expect it ! You are more than welcome to come to the event held on February 19, 2008 at the Cube in Issy-les-Moulineaux to meet the artists and the writers to talk about the game!
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