Picture a game that's not just about winning or losing, but about breaking free from the constraints of the art world. That's exactly what Game of Hearts is all about.

In a world where artists often find themselves at the mercy of curators and galleries, Game of Hearts offers a refreshing escape. It's not just a game; it's a declaration of artistic independence. By blending exhibition and curation into its very essence, this game disrupts the existing structures and designs a possible solution out of this trap.

Game of Hearts is a work that's structured in a way to be on the same level as that of those in power. It kind of achieved what needs to happen ideally in the art world by showing a path away from the shackles to empower artists once again in a system that tries to dominate them.

“Game of Hearts” is a game to win hearts. It reflects on the time we live in and how we are being programmed to do everything to get liked. The game is to be liked, the show is to be liked, each work is to be liked, and you want to be liked as well. Don’t worry, if you have played the game of hearts, I already like you.

‘Like’ is such a simple action that we take so seriously. What happens when we like someone? Heart pumps up! It can ruin our algorithm, it may make us feel weak if the other didn’t like us back, it can build a relationship, destroy our expectations and pamper our digital ego. ‘Like’ is an essential part of our life as well as in the game of hearts.

GOH acts as a metaphor in this technologically driven, information-centric world where we think we play while we are actually the ones being played by those in power. It shows what we are going through as a generation on many levels and how it is psychologically affecting us as it is made to seem enjoyable.

Had enough of words?! Start playing again and get liked…Puluk! Puluk!

Concept, Game Design, Idea: Sushrutha D

Lead programmer: Sanjay

Here’s an opportunity not to miss if you have a show planned. If you include this work in your show, then that show will be documented interestingly, interactively and innovatively through the game of hearts. The idea is to develop the game with each exhibition it is a part of. And the brilliancy is it doesn’t really matter what the curatorial note reads or what the exhibition is about, the game of hearts can get into anything and everything just like how our heart gets into everything in life.

So, This is an open call to all of you - curators, galleries, artists, organizations, collectives or any others who understand the potential in the Game of Hearts and wish to be a part of it by including this game in your show. If you have an exhibition planned or if you are planning one, hit me up with a curatorial note to sushruthad23@gmail.com

Let’s discuss this further and build an interesting game/exhibition.

For more details, click on the "Open call" work.

Exhibition 02 coming soon. Stay tuned!

The video is made to show how the GOH is played in Exhibition 1. Game of Hearts is an interactive digital screen game that lets the viewers participate in the exhibition to like the works that are in the exhibition.

Game of Hearts (exhibition1)

Interactive game video, 2:00 mins., 2024