Art Preview: RESET/PLAY at the Arthouse

With Governor Rick Perry pimping Texas as a promised land for video game developers, the medium is beginning to play an increasingly ubiquitous role in the lives of many Austinites. In fact, Austin plays host to two annual game industry conferences—SXSW's ScreenBurn and the forthcoming Austin Game Developers' Conference.

The more conceptual aspects of gaming are getting special notice with the Arthouse's newest exhibit, RESET/PLAY. The show, which opens Saturday, explores the use of video games as a medium for the inspiration of contemporary art.

The international cast of artists with work on display at RESET/PLAY were brought together by guest curators, Marcin Ramocki of Brooklyn and Paul Slocum of Dallas. Slocum is a new media artist who, among other things, is turning vintage Epson printers into musical instruments. Ramocki, who also makes technology-inspired art, co-created the documentary film 8 BIT, which examines how video games have influenced contemporary culture. The Arthouse has teamed up with the Austin Museum of Digital Art to present various events related to the exhibit. Both guest curators will be at the Arthouse on Saturday at 3 p.m. to talk about the exhibit.

RESET/PLAY runs September 6 through November 2.

Special event details after the jump.