Exhibition showcases the art of board games

Art, politics and board games collide in Christchurch Art Gallery’s new exhibition, The Founder’s Paradox.

The exhibition showcases the work of acclaimed New Zealand artist Simon Denny who explores competing political visions for New Zealand’s future, using the language and logic of board games.

Simon Denny, Game of Life: Collective vs Individual Board Game Display Prototype (detail) 2017. Mixed media. Private collection, Auckland.

The exhibition also contains a special selection of works by Michael Parekowhai, whose usage of game formats to explore politics and culture was a significant influence.

The Founder’s Paradox opens at the Christchurch Art Gallery on 15 December.

The techno-capitalism worldview is examined in world-building fantasy games, in which heroes must accumulate resources, complete quests and eliminate their enemies.

Collectivism is put into play via games that involve physical dexterity and a degree of cooperation, such as Twister and Giant Jenga.

A version of The Game of Life, in which players face several forks in the road, bridges the two worldviews, giving players the chance to choose between the path of collective action, or press on towards individual sovereignty.

Rather than tackle these heavy issues in a self-serious way, Denny chose a more mischievous strategy, says senior curator Laura Strongman.

“The humble board game, with its playful colours and cartoonish artistry, becomes a thought-provoking platform for competing real-world philosophies and commentaries on technology, politics and social relations,’’ Ms Strongman says.

The Founder's Paradox is on at the Christchurch Art Gallery from 15 December 2018 to 28 April 2019. Entry is free.