IP YUK-YIU'S LEVEL 66 - THE ARCADE PROJECT
The Box Freespace
West Kowloon Cultural District 18
Museum Drive Kowloon, Hong Kong
Ip Yuk-yiu’s latest venture, LEVEL 66 – The Arcade Project, transforms The Box into an immersive theatre experience where the boundaries between gameplay and performance blur seamlessly. Known for his innovative integration of computer games into artistic practice, Ip Yuk-yiu once again challenges conventional narratives by inviting the audience to become active participants in a dynamic, interactive environment.
LEVEL 66 – The Arcade Project is not merely a performance; it is a participatory theatre experience where the audience steps into a human arcade game lab. The project presents a liminal space, an ambiguous midpoint in a convoluted and possibly manipulated process, where participants are faced with various scenarios and actions. The central question posed to each player is deceptively simple: to play or not to play.
This intriguing premise serves as a vehicle for exploring deeper themes. The project utilizes game mechanics as both method and metaphor, dissecting the interplay of choice, agency, and the inherent conflicts within a structured yet unpredictable system. By engaging with these scenarios, participants confront the underlying mechanisms of control and decision-making, mirroring the complexities of real-world interactions.
Developed in collaboration with students, teachers, and graduates from the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, alongside the Technical and Production Team at West Kowloon Cultural District, LEVEL 66 – The Arcade Project epitomizes a collective effort in pushing the boundaries of experimental performance. This collaboration enriches the project, incorporating diverse perspectives and expertise, and fostering an environment where creativity and technology coalesce.
LEVEL 66 – The Arcade Project is presented under the aegis of TechBox, a collaborative platform established by West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) and the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. TechBox is dedicated to merging the realms of media art and theatre design, encouraging experimental creations within a technological context.
IP Yuk-Yiu is an acclaimed experimental filmmaker, media artist, art educator, and independent curator. His diverse body of work spans experimental films, live performances, media installations, and video games. These creations have been widely exhibited at prominent international venues and festivals, including the European Media Art Festival, New York Film Festival (Views from the Avant-Garde), the Image Festival, FILE Festival, VideoBrasil, Transmediale, NTT ICC, ZKM, and the WRO Media Art Biennale. With over two decades of curatorial experience in film, video, and media art, IP Yuk-Yiu is a pivotal figure in the contemporary art scene. He is the founder of the art.ware project, an independent curatorial initiative dedicated to promoting new media art in Hong Kong. His efforts have significantly contributed to the visibility and appreciation of media art within the region. Currently, IP Yuk-Yiu serves as an Associate Professor at the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong. His recent artistic endeavors explore hybrid creative forms that draw inspiration from cinema, video games, and contemporary media art practices. His innovative approach and substantial contributions to the field were recognized in 2019 when he was awarded the Artist of the Year (Media Arts) by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.
LINK: LEVEL 66 – The Arcade Project
LINK: Ip Yuk-yiu