PlayThings is a 2-day symposium and workshop exploring the concept of play in the fields of art, media and technology. The goal of this event is to provide a platform for the various fields of game design, art practice and media theory to exchange ideas and push the boundaries of what play is and how people play. This event consists of 2 days:

Day 1:

a panel discussion around the ideas of play led by:

McKenzie Wark    (Lang)

Colleen Macklin    (PETLab)

Zach Gage            (stfj.net)

Cas Holman          (RISD)

moderated by John Sharp

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a 3hr play session with various kinds of toys and games i.e. historical toys, mechanical toys, building blocks, plushies/puppets/dolls, board games, video games and physical games to introduce participants with the variety of things and activities that constitute as play.

(led by Kyle Li and Nick Fortugno

Day 2:

Day 2 consists of a day-long workshop and play-jam session where participants come up with their own games, toys or other forms of public play and the creations are later reviewed by the panel and other participants.

(5hr making + 1hr judging/playtesting)

(basic toy building materials provided)

PlayThings will take place at 6 East 16th 12F on February 22nd and 23rd from 11 am to 5pm at 6 East 16th Street 12F for both days.