Video Preview: UC Student's Art Video Game in 2-D and 3-D Challenges Perceptions
This video previews student Ben Tanzer's art/video game that switches between 2-D and 3-D.
Video gaming, theater, fine arts and philosophy come together in University of Cincinnati student Ben Tanzers multilayered senior project titled Pin.
Tanzer, 27, originally from Terrace Park, a suburb of Cincinnati, admits he was born and raised by Super Nintendo. He recalls, Once when I was a kid, in an attempt to help Mario jump farther, I physically jumped so hard along with him that I ended up losing a tooth when I landed.
Mix Tanzers technical and aesthetic training as a fine arts student in UCs College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) along with his background in musical theater, and the result is this digital environment project combining the action of a video game, the intricacy and detail of a work of art, and even philosophical ideas. (Collaborating with Tanzer on creating music for the project is UC College-Conservatory of Music student Rob Frank.)
In Pin, users/players manipulate a character, also named Pin, as he traverses a series of levels that switch between 2-D and 3-D, as well as switching between a first-person and third-person perspective. The first level is a cave setting, based on Platos The Allegory of the Cave, while other moments reference Italian writer Italo Calvinos novel, Invisible Cities, a work that explores imagination and the imaginable through the descriptions of cities by explorer Marco Polo.
States Tanzer, The virtual environment evolves throughout the game. As it unfolds, Pins ability to see the world around him adapts. The games users will experience change with him.
After displaying his project at
, Tanzer plans to make Pin available for free download on his own
.
Currently, only a placeholder graphic is on the site now.
- See more details on the April 22-26 DAAPWorks display in UCs College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning. DAAPWorks is free and open to the public.
- Apply to UCs undergraduate fine arts program.
Related Stories
Information Security Roadshow spreads awareness
May 3, 2024
The University of Cincinnati's Office of Information Security launched a series of 18 in-person sessions from January to April 2024, drawing nearly 350 attendees from the staff of various UC colleges and units. The Information Security Roadshow series aimed to equip the audience with knowledge on prevailing cyber threats, prevention strategies, how to report incidents and resources to stay informed and secure.
Piano alumna Brianna Matzke premieres TREMOR project at American...
May 3, 2024
TREMOR is a performance art project created in response to Brianna Matzke's essential tremor diagnosis. It features a world premiere piano concert and panel discussion at 6 p.m. on May 5, 2024 at the American Sign Museum. The project also includes an art opening, with musical responses from local new-music ensemble concert:nova on April 28 at The Well.
Four CCM alumni nominated in 2024 Tony Awards
May 1, 2024
Four UC College-Conservatory of Music alumni are named nominees in the 77th annual Tony Awards, recognizing the excellent work shared in Broadway productions during the 2023-24 season. The nominees, announced Tuesday, April 30, include Isabella Byrd (BFA Lighting Design and Technology, ’09), Shoshana Bean (BFA Musical Theatre, '99), Dorian Harewood and Leslie Kritzer (BFA Musical Theatre, '99).