Speaker:

Martin Ericsson

Title:

Dreams Made Flesh: Aesthetics of Participation in Contemporary Story Architecture and Games Design

Abstract:

This talk looks at the creative relationship between an author and her (more or less active) audience in different forms of human culture. Through a series of cases on the border between audience and participation driven culture (all written and co-produced by the lecturer, Martin explores a developing and aesthetic of co-creation that differs radically from the traditional auteur-driven models we habitually use to assess quality or impact of artistic work. Especially applicable to player-driven computer games, the method relies on teaching and trusting your audience and the creation of inspiring “participation agreements”. Case-studies include Emmy Award-winning television transmedia work “The Truth About Marika”, experiences from the computer games industry as well as insight into the avant-garde Nordic Live Action Roleplaying Game scene. Here, participation aesthetics has become the foundation for a movement of dramatic improvisation defying common preconceptions about Role-Playing Games and the culture surrounding them.

Bio:

Martin Ericsson is a lifelong interaction and participation writer with an academic background in drama and games studies. He has produced and written more than thirty pieces of participatory art and entertainment ranging from collaborations with Hollywood screenwriters like Tim Kring and Joss Whedon to decadent live-action stagings of Shakespearian tragedy and interstellar warfare. Ericsson works as a freelance lecturer, interactive author and occasional model.