The Very Finest Art

The iam8bit Art Show returns next week, making this the 5th year for the ever growing group art exhibition. For those of you unfamiliar with iam8bit, it is a month-long art show that features paintings, sculptures, plush creations, and interactive artworks, all of which have one thing in common; retro video games.

This year’s exhibition, dubbed Super iam8bit, will be bigger than ever. Opening on Thursday, August 11th, at 2174 W Sunset Boulevard, in Los Angeles, California, the show floor will be nearly 5 times the original size of the first gallery floor in 2005. The show will be packed with works from over 100 artists, all commemorating the retro gaming goodness we know and love. Some of this year’s more notable exhibits will include a tribute to Galaga’s 30th anniversary, featuring the world’s largest arcade cabinet, and a “retro-fied” hacked Kinect created by Drew Skillman of Double Fine.

If, like me, you lack both the money and means of conveyance to reach this retro gaming Mecca, you can still enjoy these classic works of art. Super iam8bit, the sequel to Chronicle Books’ 2006 publication iam8bit: Art Inspired by Classic Video Games of the ‘80s, will also be available for purchase on the opening day of the show. This beautiful 160 page book features video game inspired artwork by over 80 artists, as well as a foreword by host and producer of Attack of the Show, Kevin Pereira.

The show has won praise from publications such as CNN, MSNBC, Playboy, G4, MTV, and was even named “Best Art Show” by LA Weekly. With such impressive growth in only four years, the iam8bit Art Exhibition shows no signs of slowing down. Best of all, it sends a striking message to the Jack Thompsons of the world: Gamers are here to stay, and there is nothing you can do about it.

For more information about iam8bit, check out their website here.

*Find this original feature and others like it at RobotGeek.co.uk*