2018 INTERACTIVE AUDIOVISUAL ENVIRONMENT

Information in Three Acts was presented as a URL and IRL exhibition at Meanwhile Gallery (Wellington, NZ). It is a non-game that subverts the gaming narrative of the player as the ‘hero’, and gameplay as the player’s ‘hero’s journey’. In this narrative, the player is merely a conduit for the game’s antagonist to further their own interests in achieving the resolution of their own hero’s journey. The player experiences the antagonist’s three-act story of solidifying political power by leveraging tools of political transparency via point-and-click.

Meanwhile Gallery wrote the following about the work:

“Set on an unidentified island in the wake of a vaguely disclosed trauma, players take on the role of a translator, and gradually unearth a narrative of power, corruption and colonial violence. Information in Three Acts invites players into a strange, hellish landscape in order to probe the mechanics of bureaucratic language and its potentially catastrophic implications”.

Act 1: In Which Darius Sows a Seed

“You were contracted as their interpreter, do you remember?

“And I received the empire the very night they were killed. Their famous last words live only in the memories of those who heard them.

“Leadership is a stage upon which personalities contest for dominance. While the work is not always riveting, it is always important.

“If we released the history of the island, I don’t think anyone would believe it.

“I did everything, and went everywhere. I maintained your position. You worked well in high office. A unique opportunity for someone like you.

“The empire was in desperate need of upheaval. My rivals were everywhere, plotting my downfall.

“Our traditional approach was failing. Cut one head off, two grew back. So we shifted tactics. We provided my rivals with information.

“It changed everything. The more information we provided, the more they desired. They had stumbled into our corridors of information. And in our corridors, we could shepherd them where we wanted.

“Translation really was the best form of direction. As an interpreter, you were good like that.

Act 2: The Growth and Decline of Darius’ Empire

“The upheaval of the empire presented us with unprecedented challenges. Information became a difficult weapon to wield.

“So many corridors weaved into coils. My rivals had already begun to tighten them, choking our progress.

“In such a situation, I needed you more than ever. A true leader knows how to challenge when challenge. To tempt when tempted.

“After all, you are your people.

“But your resignation was something I never expected. After all I had done for you, a mere interpreter.

“I was born to do something you could never comprehend: to proclaim instead of explain. When the servant refuses to explain. What option does that leave their emperor?

“A truly great decision requires shedding one’s conscience. I had devoured every challenge. I had devoured every temptation. I had become a great leader.

“So I took your skin. I took your flesh. In the end, I even took your bones.

Act 3: In Which Darius Ensures They Will Live Forever

“I am emperor of this island. And emperor I will remain. I will be remembered as emperor.

“You may consider me a cannibal. But look around the island and you will see your memories died with you.

“Now the young blood come here when they have completed their training in interpretation.

“I am my people. I’ve developed a taste.