Dundee Contemporary Arts has announced the events programme accompanying its two summer exhibitions, Small Wars and CD-ROMS which run from Sat 16 July – Sun 4 September.

The exhibitions explore the cultural impact of computer games, with playable artwork and installations by artists Eddo Stern and Theresa Duncan. They have been programmed and curated in partnership with Dr William Huber, Head of the Centre for Excellence in Computer Games at Abertay University. The exhibitions also coincide with Abertay’s hosting of the First Joint International Conference of DiGRA and FDG 2016, a landmark exchange of ideas for academics and educators within games research.

The programme begins with an Exhibition Introduction on Fri 15 July where there will be the opportunity to hear about the work on show from exhibiting artist, Eddo Stern, alongside Graham Domke, Exhibitions Curator at DCA and Dr William Huber, Head of Centre of Excellence in Games Education at Abertay University.

On Thu 18 August, local video games writer and creator Emilie Reed (aka net.gal), co-curator of Blank Arcade at Abertay University, will give a talk in the gallery. Emilie has previously written on exhibiting artist Theresa Duncan and writes extensively about art, technology, games and museums.

Exhibition events for families include DCA’s popular Family Art Lab on Sat 27 August where young visitors have the chance to join local games designers from Space Budgie to explore the works in the gallery and create their own handmade games settings using paint and collages. The Art Cart will also be available on Sat 16 July, Sat 6 August and Sat 20 August, with free creative activities inspired by the exhibitions.

During the final weekend of the exhibition, DCA will hold the latest in its series of Drop in and Play gaming events (Sat 3 September), in partnership with Abertay University. Visitors will be able to try a range of brand new games before they’re widely available, speak to local games designers and let them know what they think after trying out their work. There’ll also be a chance to explore the art of games design in depth with local company Future Fossil. DCA is currently running an open call for participants: games developers interested in taking part should visit DCA’s website for more information.

To coincide with the exhibitions, DCA Exhibitions Curator Graham Domke has also selected sci fi thriller War Games to be shown in DCA Cinema after Drop in and Play. In the 80s classic a young computer whizz-kid accidentally connects to a top-secret super-computer, then inadvertently starts the countdown to World War Three.

Small Wars and CD-ROMS run from Sat 16 July – Sun 4 September. Check out the full event listings below:

Eddo Stern & Theresa Duncan: Small Wars & CD-ROMS

Sat 16 July – Sun 4 September, 11:00 – 18:00 (Open late Thu 20:00)

Exhibition Introduction: Small Wars & CD-ROMS

Fri 15 July, 18:30
Galleries. Free, but please book in advance.

Art Cart

Sat 16 July, Sat 6 August, Sat 20 August 13:00 – 15:00
Level 4
Free, drop in.

Gallery Talk: Emilie Reed aka NET.GAL

Thu 18 August, 19:00
Galleries. Free, but please book in advance.

Senior Citizen Kane Tour and Workshop

Tue 23 August, 10:30
Galleries
Free, but please book in advance.

Family Art Lab

Sat 27 August, 13:00 – 15:00
Activity Room
Free, but please book in advance.
Suitable from ages 5+. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

(((echo)))

Thu 1 September, 19:00
Galleries. Free, drop in.

Drop in and Play

Sat 3 September, 13:00 – 16:00
Level 4
Free, drop in.

Cinema Screening: War Games

Sat 3 September, 16:00
DCA Cinema

Activity Room

Open daily unless being used for a workshop.
Free, drop in