ZKF - Experimental Game Cultures

Margarete Jahrmann
Institute of Arts and Society, Experimental Game Cultures
2026S, Individual Artistic Instruction (KE), 8.0 ECTS, 8.0 semester hours, course number S30459

Description

PLAY THINGS

The creation of LUDIC OBJECTS, "playthings" as artistic artefacts are at the heart of EXPERIMENTAL GAME CULTURES and thus core to the central artistic subject of the program. 

Starting from Josia Reichardts Play Orbit we connect to the Uncanny Valley of robotic toys and AI companions. Phygital toys (combining the physical with the digital) can prompt creative play patterns among players.

The artefacts created over the course of the ZKF will be shown in a final exhibition. 

References:  

HELJAKKA, K (2024). Technically Toys. Towards a Post-Digital World with Play Machines and Artificial Friends

Proceedings of the 9th International Toy Research Association World Conference
Toys Matter : The Power of Playthings (Rochester, NY USA 9-11 August, 2023)

Reference: Stott, T. (2018), When Attitudes Became Toys: Jasia Reichardt's Play Orbit. Art History, 41: 344-369. DOI: 10.1111/1467-8365.12329

Examination Modalities

- Participation in the weekly ZKF lecture, workshops and open floors

- Individual supervision talk

- Contribution to the finals and exhibition

Key Words

play things, ludic art, artefacts, robotics, AI

Dates

Wed, 04 March 2026, 13:00–16:00 Experimental Game Cultures Studio, Georg-Coch-Platz 2 1010 Wien
Wed, 11 March 2026, 13:00–16:00 Experimental Game Cultures Studio, Georg-Coch-Platz 2 1010 Wien
Wed, 18 March 2026, 13:00–16:00 Experimental Game Cultures Studio, Georg-Coch-Platz 2 1010 Wien
Wed, 25 March 2026, 13:00–16:00 Experimental Game Cultures Studio, Georg-Coch-Platz 2 1010 Wien
Wed, 15 April 2026, 13:00–16:00 Experimental Game Cultures Studio, Georg-Coch-Platz 2 1010 Wien
Wed, 22 April 2026, 13:00–16:00 Experimental Game Cultures Studio, Georg-Coch-Platz 2 1010 Wien
Wed, 29 April 2026, 13:00–16:00 Experimental Game Cultures Studio, Georg-Coch-Platz 2 1010 Wien
Wed, 06 May 2026, 10:00–16:00 Experimental Game Cultures Studio, Georg-Coch-Platz 2 1010 Wien
Wed, 13 May 2026, 13:00–16:00 Experimental Game Cultures Studio, Georg-Coch-Platz 2 1010 Wien
Wed, 20 May 2026, 13:00–16:00 Experimental Game Cultures Studio, Georg-Coch-Platz 2 1010 Wien
Wed, 27 May 2026, 13:00–16:00 Experimental Game Cultures Studio, Georg-Coch-Platz 2 1010 Wien
Wed, 03 June 2026, 13:00–16:00 Experimental Game Cultures Studio, Georg-Coch-Platz 2 1010 Wien
Wed, 10 June 2026, 13:00–16:00 Experimental Game Cultures Studio, Georg-Coch-Platz 2 1010 Wien
Wed, 17 June 2026, 13:00–16:00 Experimental Game Cultures Studio, Georg-Coch-Platz 2 1010 Wien
Wed, 01 July 2026, 10:00–16:00 Experimental Game Cultures Studio, Georg-Coch-Platz 2 1010 Wien

Course Enrolment

From 02 February 2026, 09:00
Via online registration

Experimental Game Cultures (Master): Game Development and Reflection: Game Development and Reflection I-III 536/001.01

Co-registration: not possible

Attending individual courses: not possible