Monday 24 September 2012

Mary Flanagan: [domestic] 2003



Domestic is a first-shooter video game which aim to reconstruct the childhood memory by remembering the childhood space. Players can find different clues from the games in order to recall the childhood memory. There are many rooms with different settings and background, for example, hinted words on the wall. Further, since the whole dramatic event- house fire is the main theme of the games, there are a lot of fire threatening the lives of players.

According to the Definition of Adam, there is a few definition of art that match the characteristics of Domestic. 
  • Art has an aesthetic
  • Art has content
  • Art contains Ideas
  • Art make you feel Things

From my point of view, I regard Domestic as a form of art because its aesthetic value. Firstly, this game indeed provides a great variety of visualized pictures. The words in the wall is one of the example. It somehow likes a kind of typography and make people feel like your minds are filled with words only. Also, the intense growing fire in the game is a catching visual effect. One more is the interior design of the space. There are some rooms with endless ceilings, which provide some optical illusion to players. While playing the game, you will appreciate its beautiful settings and effect because it really is beautiful.

Secondly, the theme of Domestic is inspiring. Inspiration is an essential element of Art. Players need to recall their memory through playing their games. Although it is only a make up story, it does inspire players to think of themselves. Domestic does contain ideas that it inspires players to think of their own memory. 

Furthermore, Domestic provide an important message that " Blank appears in our memory all the time". Everyone may have some memory one doesn't want to remember. Domestic did make you think of your memories so it matches the definition that “Art make you feel Things”. Players will reconsider their life of living or think more out of norm. 

In conclusion, Domestic did bring a lot of inspiration and aesthetic appreciation to players. It is not merely for entertainment but a reconsideration of “Memory”. Therefore, I believe Domestic is a form of art.




2 comments:

  1. Sissy,

    The layout of your blog is lovely. I enjoyed reading your posts about Domestic and Life Sharing. Both of them show that you have thought quite a lot about the two works. On the other hand, i was disappointed to see that your work is very incomplete. The thing you need to work on in particular is using sources (e.g. quotations or paraphrases from your readings) so that you can make your points more persuasive and nuanced. For example when you talked about Domestic as art, the project was in fact to discuss the work in relation to your reading --that is, Adams' definition of art. If you do that, it will help you to raise a lot of additional points about why the work is art. Another thing to work on is giving more details and additional information to support your view. I agree with you about Domestic, but you should imagine your reader does not--and try to make your argument convincing to that imaginary person

    Carol

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    1. Thank you for the advice. Can I make some edits to this article directly or I need to keep the old version?

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