As the pandemic continues to rage on across the globe, much of the art world has lagged behind in creating meaningful and unique digital spaces to host exhibitions and performances. Digitally recreating the brick and mortar blue chip gallery white cube in 3D amplifies the slew of problems that already exist. More than that, they shy away from encouraging a sense of community and interaction between audience members. One solution to creating meaningful digital spaces is by using the videogame tools we already have.

In this interview, artist Kara Güt will sit down as an avatar within Red Dead Redemption 2 to discuss with Killscreen founder Jamin Warren the concept of videogames as material for an art practice. Kara will go over her current practice of looking at modding and gaming as art and storytelling practices, and how the active work of overseeing a community and fostering those conversations is integral to how she creates, interprets, and tells stories.

This is part of Killscreen’s Theory programming (see below)

About Your Speaker

Kara Güt is a multidisciplinary artist whose primary focus is image-based, digital media. Her work investigates the new shape of human intimacy formed by internet lifestyle, constructed detachment from reality, and the power dynamics of the virtual. She received an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2016. Solo shows include “Presence” at IRL Gallery in Cincinnati, Ohio, and “Crystal Magic Weapon” at Open Space, Baltimore, Maryland. Recent group shows include “Daily Rush: Proxy” at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Detroit, and “Wheaton Biennial_final_final_FINAL” at Wheaton College in Norton, MA. She has exhibited internationally, at The Chromatic Festival, Montreal, The Tbilisi Architecture Biennial, and Azkuna Zentroa, Bilbao, among others. Most recently, she was awarded the Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award, and The Mohawk Show Judge’s Choice Award for her publication “RPG Gothic”. She is a 2021 alumni of the Pioneer Works Tech Residency. Her videos are editioned by Daata Editions and she is represented by Lava Project. Kara currently lives and works in Cleveland, Ohio.

What to Expect

Killscreen divides its events into two categories Theory and Method. Theory courses are lectures, talks, and other one-to-many events. Method events are workshops, immersive, and other smaller hands-on programming.

Once you’re registered you can access this experience through your confirmation email or Eventbrite account. Killscreen online experiences are recommended for attendees age 13+.

This online experience will be recorded. A link to the recording will be made available to all ticket holders roughly a week following the event. This link can be accessed by completing the post-event survey, which is emailed to all ticket-holders after the event.

Killscreen is an arts and culture organization committed to advancing the dialogue and practice of games and play. Founded in 2010, we seek to drive the intersection of games, play, and culture through cross-disciplinary collaboration to show the world why play matters. We want to break down the barriers that have traditionally segregated play and games from other creative disciplines and highlight creators with ambassadorial relationships to the world around us.

We encourage you to follow and share the hashtag #KSonline for more incredible online experiences. And check out other material on Killscreen.com, including honest and thought-provoking interviews with some of the best creators at the intersection of play and culture.