Exploring our body from its hidden micro bacteria to its digital incarnations, The Games Europe Plays – BODY<>TECH takes a playful look at how digital technologies are helping us to heal but can also disturb our wellbeing. Presenting the works of interactive artists and game makers from the UK and continental Europe, the show envisions how we will inhabit and take care of our virtual and physical bodies in the future.

Join us this summer in Greenwich to meet A.I (artificially insane) avatars, enter the whole genome sequencing of bacteria in virtual reality and rebalance yourself through play.

Go on a journey where your body, mind and senses will be guided and confounded. Are you ready to explore the uncanny valley?

In ‘Molding the Signifier’ by Ivor Diosi (Czech Republic) you’ll meet 3 chatty avatars who get infected by a mysterious bacteria slowly disrupting their conversation and behaviour. Anna Dumitriu with Alex May (UK) turns Staphylococcus aureus bacteria collected on her body into an installation and a virtual reality experience. Marco Donnarumma (Italy) uses his heart beats, blood stream and muscle contractions to create digital music and media. The beautiful Good Night Lamp by Designwarm (UK) uses the Internet of Things technology to tell a loved one ‘I’m thinking of you’ at a distance.  Blast Theory’s app Karen (UK) is a life coach who gets a little bit too friendly and intrusive. If you feel a bit disturbed after all these experiences, Dutch game ‘Songs of Elstryn’ will invite to rebalance yourself physically and mentally.

The exhibition is the second in series of three shows initiated by EUNIC London and curated by body technologist and digital expert Ghislaine Boddington (Creative Director, body>data>space / Reader CPDA University of Greenwich). They bring to the UK the best  independent and innovative games made in Europe with a strong emphasis on design, virtual interactivity and physical engagement.

‘BODY<>TECH engages in a debate in Europe around gaming and interactive works that represent our bodies and minds. Showing projects both with social purpose and artistic intents the works in this exhibition display a way of being in a new world – where the inside moves outside, the digital helps the physical, virtual and physical intimacies merge. The Games Europe Plays – BODY<>TECH  reflects on potential digital physical  “bodies” of the future’ Ghislaine Boddington.

Press View: Wednesday 6 July at 4pm, please email Marie Proffit: contact@eunic-london.org

Colloquium: Join us on Thursday 7 July from 11am to 4pm at the University of Greenwich (SE10 9BD) for a day of colloquium with curator Ghislaine Boddington and Digital Arts Lead Ian Thompson, associated artists and experts.

The Games Europe Plays  is a EUNIC London project, produced by the Finnish Institute and body>data>space. Initiated by the Czech Centre, the project is supported by the British Council and the Arts Council England. It is presented at the Stephen Lawrence Gallery and supported by the University of Greenwich (Department of Creative Professions and Digital Art), in association with Nesta’s FutureFest and London Games Festival. With additional support from the Czech Centre, the Italian Cultural Institute and the Embassy of the Netherlands.

The exhibition is open to the public from 7 July – 26 August 2016: Tuesday-Friday: 11am-5pm. Saturday: 11am-4pm

Credit picture: ‘Molding the Signifier’ by Ivor Diosi