Step into the immersive universe of renowned multimedia artist, LuYang.
LuYang Arcade Liverpool transforms the gallery into a retro-futuristic arcade composed of games, avatars and environments inspired by anime, sci-fi, Buddhism and neuroscience. Motorcycle racing simulators, Space Invader joy-con towers and dance mat stations transport you to entertaining and thought-provoking worlds. Through gameplay, the artist invites you to explore the idea of “living on the internet” and to abandon binary ideas of “identity, nationality, gender - even your existence as a human being”.
“Creating a game is like creating your own world.”
LuYang
LuYang, Material World Knight (2018) still. Courtesy of the artist.
LuYang often uses their own body as an avatar, employing advanced motion capture techniques to put themselves at the centre of these game worlds. Through this, they explore ideas of self-expression and control outside the remit of a human mind and body. Combining their own understanding of Buddhist teachings with aspects of neuroscience and digital technology, LuYang’s work asks: how is a physical life different to a digital existence?
LuYang, Material World Knight (2018) still. Courtesy of the artist.
Constantly evolving, technology allows us to consider new, alternative ways of existing. The world around us holds different histories, cultures and identities. Though these all exist alongside each other, often certain stories are often marginalised, or forced to mould to a particular ideal: we might understand our own identities in very different ways to how others see us. Through their work, LuYang provokes us to question our expectations of normal, using the cultures of anime, video games and sci-fi to create new worlds, and alternative possibilities for living.
We want as many people as possible to be able to access and enjoy this exhibition. The exhibition includes:
- One film, synced across three screens suspended from the ceiling
- Two films, displayed on arcade machines
- Five interactive video games, displayed across standing arcade machines, motorbike arcade machines, a dance mat arcade machine, and computer consoles (including an accessible gameplay station)
- Neon artworks
- Wallpaper murals
- A black and white chequered floor
- The works in the show all have arcade music soundtracks, which will mingle together to create a soundscape across the gallery, similar to an actual gaming arcade. All works have subtitles, and transcripts are available here.
Some works in this exhibition contain images of violence and body horror. We advise that parents and guardians check content before children enter the space. Some works contain flashing images which may be unsuitable for those with photosensitivity. For more information, please speak to a member of the gallery team.
Families, Workshop
Do Something Saturdays
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FACT
Test out games design, VR, and creative writing in our free family-friendly workshops.
Workshop
LuYang Reading Group
Online
Join us for an online reading group hosted by Dr Pao-chen Tang, lecturer of Film Studies at the University of Sydney.
Film
LuYang Screening Event
FACT
Explore the central themes of LuYang’s practice through a collection of their film works!
Artists
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