A Simulation of Art & Ego
"Is this your artwork?" This simple question opens the door to dialogues about art, identity, and everything in between. This experimental live roleplay invites you to explore the fragile, funny, and sometimes awkward encounters between artists and their audience. It is an opportunity to step into the gallery space not just to look at objects, but to examine the way we look at each other.
In this game, you and a partner face a real artwork. One of you steps into the shoes of the artist who created it; the other takes on the role of a visitor with their own story. The setup is simple, but the dynamics are complex. Over the course of 90 minutes, you will explore the tensions of exhibition talk: admiration and doubt, hope and vulnerability, distance and connection.
Before you meet, chance dictates the dynamic. The "Visitor" draws a card to determine their persona: are you a wealthy collector, a critical curator, or perhaps a child wandering through the room? A dice roll then decides your taste—dictating exactly how much you like the artwork in front of you. Each role shapes the conversation in unexpected directions, forcing you to navigate a dialogue where the rules of status and validation are constantly shifting.
Moments that often feel painful or awkward in real life turn playful here. By wearing the mask of a fictional character, we reveal the unspoken dynamics of how we meet each other through art. The game transforms the often stiff atmosphere of the vernissage into a humorous and revealing study of human connection.
This format is designed for groups and lasts approximately 1.5 hours. It requires no prior knowledge of art history, only a willingness to engage in dialogue. The experience works best in a gallery or museum setting with actual artworks present.
Concept and Design by Roman Schramm.
First played at "Game, Gamble & Play" Hilbertraum, Berlin