Gaming News - March 2007
Redwood City, CA (March 21, 2007) - EA today announced that the
company is teaming up with three art and design schools, Parsons The New School
for Design in New York, Academy of Art University in San Francisco and Otis
College of Art and Design in Los Angeles to produce art competitions and
exhibitions that will celebrate the art of The Sims.
From EA:
The Sims-inspired artwork provided by the students will include a range of
media including: machinima (animated films that use the engine from the video
game), paintings, illustrations, sculptural work, fashion designs,
cinematography, and interactive displays. The exhibits will be sponsored
by Ford Motor Company.
The art on display will be selected from work submitted by students at the
three respective schools and juried by representatives from the schools and EA.
The Machinima and traditional art will be judged in separate categories with
$12,000 of prize money awarded at each school for winning entries.
“The Sims games celebrate creativity—encouraging players to create their own
world as they play through the game. We’ve seen fans make everything from
their dream home, to story-driven movies using The Sims as their medium.
Putting a creative tool like The Sims in the hands of emerging artists opens up
a whole new world of possibilities—we can’t wait to see what the students come
up with,” said Nancy Smith, GM of The Sims Division at Electronic Arts and an
avid art collector.
The Sims is one of the world’s most popular PC games, selling nearly 85
million games world-wide since it’s launch in 2000. It’s earned its broad appeal
by letting players creatively control the lives of characters in their own
virtual world.
“EA has long recognized the artistic talent of the students at Parsons the
New School for Design, Academy of Art University and Otis College of Art and
Design. This program is the perfect way to celebrate The Sims games across a
variety of art forms.” said Jack Lew, Global University Relations Manager for
Art Talent at EA. “And true to the Sims franchise, ‘The Sims: In the Hands
of Artists’ exhibits will demonstrate self expression and creativity.”
For more information, including rules and regulations, dates and locations
please visit
www.TheSims2.com/HandsOfArtists
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