The Grannies
"The Grannies" provides a unique insight into the digital realm's hidden imperfections and oddities, as seen through the lens of artists who dare to look beyond the polished surface of video games.
In "The Grannies" (2019), a documentary captures the journey of a Melbourne-based artist collective, featuring Goldie Bartlett, Andrew Brophy, Ian MacLarty, Kalonica Quigley, and their associates, as they venture into the uncharted territories of Rockstar Games' popular title, Red Dead Redemption 2. These artists, known as The Grannies, navigate past the game's intended boundaries to explore the surreal, glitchy landscapes that lie beyond, driven by a spirit of artistic inquiry rather than a conventional gaming objective to conquer or complete the game. Their exploration is showcased as a form of artistic expression, emphasizing playfulness as an intrinsic value and a medium for creativity.
As someone who once spent hours at a time trying to rocket/grenade jump onto ledges and off the map in Halo this really caught my attention.
This innovative multimedia project was first introduced at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) during the 2023 "Out of Bounds: Exploring the Limits of Videogames" exhibition. It has since been transformed into an interactive, digital experience through the collaborative efforts of director Marie Foulston, known for her work with V&A, Somerset House, and Wild Rumpus, and creative technologist V Buckenham, recognized for projects like Cheap Bots Done Quick!, Wild Rumpus, and Now Play This.
"The Grannies" provides a unique insight into the digital realm's hidden imperfections and oddities, as seen through the lens of artists who dare to look beyond the polished surface of video games.
