My transdisciplinary serious game art piece 1378(km) is featured as a key installation at the Museum of World Culture (Världskulturmuseet) in Gothenburg, Sweden, as part of their major exhibition World of Games (VÄRLDENS SPEL). The exhibition, which opened on April 1, 2023, explores how games influence our society, reflect human behavior, and serve as a powerful medium for interactive storytelling and cultural reflection.
Placed within this global context, 1378(km) stands as a pioneer in asymmetric game mechanics and serious games. Originally developed in 2010 as a pre-diploma project at the HfG Karlsruhe, the artwork puts players in the roles of refugees and border guards at the former inner-German border. The gameplay enforces a strict, pacifist logic: guards who choose to shoot refugees are sent to a virtual courtroom sequence, subverting the traditional gameplay loops of first-person shooters to confront players with real ethical dilemmas.
Within the exhibition's curated space, the game is presented in the "Forbidden Games" area, positioned directly adjacent to Brenda Romero’s landmark work Train. This positioning creates a compelling dialogue between two designs that challenge players with moral dilemmas and structural taboos. Visitors to the exhibition can engage directly with the art piece, experiencing its systemic mechanics first-hand.
"Serious games and media art have the power to step beyond passive documentation. By putting users in active, asymmetric roles, we don't just tell history—we make it emotionally and morally experiential."
Exhibition Walkthrough
Watch a short walkthrough video showing a brief impression of the exhibition space, where I share some insights on the installation setup and context:
Visual Insights from the Exhibition
The installation is surrounded by historical context, highlighting how interactive art can trigger discussions about border politics, collective memory, and human empathy.
The Gothenburg exhibition marks another significant milestone for the international reception of 1378(km), bringing its transdisciplinary approach to game design and digital media art to new international audiences.