on cooperation, free will, free space and the mechanics of our sociability.

Participating artists/designers:
Heyheydehaas (NL), Julien Carretero (FR/BE), Thomas Lommee (BE), Uglycute (S), Mireia c. Saladrigues (SP), John Körmeling (NL), Ryan Gander (UK), Aurélien Froment (FR).

Contributing authors: Petra Van Brabandt, Paul De Bruyne, Florian Schneider, Rene ten Bos and interviews with Slava Kozlov by Harvey Herman and Arnon Grunberg by Laurence Scherz.

A project by De Brakke Grond Amsterdam.

Life is a game – but who are the other players? Usually, we play with our own kind of people, people from our own ‘tribe’. Within our own group, we are familiar with the ambitions, with those factors that contribute to success, and with the winners. Things don’t get really exciting until we move into a different field of play, expand our territory onto other gaming boards, admit new players or different elements.

In the exhibition Let’s Start Playing the Game, both artists and audiences will re-invent the form and rules of this party game. If really we want to stimulate innovation and open dialogue, it’s no use just playing the game by the rules. A certain degree of anarchy and flexibility in relation to the rules is necessary to stimulate creativity and co-creation.

Heyheydehaas, Julien Carretero, Thomas Lommee and Uglycute have designed four new games for this exhibition on the basis of their expertise in the creation of relevant, stimulating situations in which production, dialogue and wonder can come together. The games are like satellites in this universe, the entrance to and routes through which have been created by designer Anthony Kleinepier.
In addition, existing works with a playful component will be shown by artists Mireia c. Saladrigues, John Körmeling, Ryan Gander and Aurelien Froment. Each taking its own course and creating its own perspective – but all offering possibilities to follow different paths.

Visitors will be challenged to take part in the games, both to learn and to enjoy: to play with ambitions, social needs and identity on the basis of forms of production and interaction. Welcome to this world, in which every game can be passed through resolutely, and with other players, familiar and unfamiliar. This playful experience is a real challenge. / Let’s start playing the game!