Game Art: John Bruneau's "Bombs ¬ ROMs (Bombs not ROMs)" (2008)

"80s nostalgia vs 80s nationalism. Digital Recording of Atari 2600 ROMs.

Bombs ¬ROMs is based on my conflicting feelings toward the 80s. My art is influenced heavily by video game nostalgia. Yet I have, up until now, blissfully ignored the political climate of the era in which my nostalgia is rooted. The 1980s were a time of extreme patriotism and nationalism in the US. The Cold War mindset of touting, "USA #1!" that was so embraced in the Regan Era now comes a cross as loaded, symbolism with dubious substance.

It is this mindset however that continues to live on in those heroes of the 80s, the classic arcade world record holders. For many of them, arcade gaming is still is about keeping USA on top of the high score list. As an avid consumer of the retro gaming paradigm, I feel it is important to acknowledge how strongly nationalism is embedded in that culture. Thus this piece has become my war on terror era critique on myself. Bombs ¬ROMs is an attempt reconcile my own feeling" (John Bruneau)

link: John Bruneau

Submitted by Matteo Bittanti