Just Do It

Virtual Boring.

by Lauren Fleming

Opening reception Wed., March 18, 6-8 p.m., free, exhibit runs through May 1, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-387-5125, ihousephilly.org

Video games are fun because you're in control of them — for many, playing God is a nice break from reality. J. Makary, however, thinks the interactivity of video games is uninteresting compared to their storylines. In her video installation, she juxtaposes video game soundtracks and characters with a grainy, '20s cinema style to explore the age-old tale of a hero out to save a girl.

"The video was shot and edited to increase the audience's awareness of the hero," says Makary. "And I wanted to create a feeling of stepping into a world where there's a player but the player is not in control, necessarily."

In this way, the "hero" — a tiny teacup that collects coins throughout the game without being rewarded for them — is more like you or me than Mario, Link or any other all-powerful video game character.

Having previously made videos combining age-old dance and modern film techniques, including her most recent project, Wanna Kiss Myself, this installation is like her past projects that have fused together different time periods. "As I've done in dance projects, I like taking the look from one thing and putting it in a different context," she says. "And with this, I wanted to see what would happen if I decided to combine these two different eras."