The Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media [YCAM] hosts “Think Things ― An ecosystem of ‘things’ and ‘games’,” a participatory exhibition focusing on the driving force of games to generate new occasions for learning and creation.
The ”Think Things” exhibition that marks the start of this project was conceived as an “open platform for creation and experimentation” based on a system that integrates the visitor into the cycle of research and development at YCAM. The exhibition focuses on the relationship between “playing games” as one of the most primordial and creative human activities, and the “things” that inspire it. In several events and workshops during the exhibition period, visitors have the opportunity to generate together an ecosystem of fluidly circulating game ideas passed on from one person to another.

YCAM OPEN LAB: How a co-created community works

YCAM has so far developed a variety of original devices, tools and software for the purpose of producing installations, performing arts pieces and educational workshops revolving around media technology. For many of those results, production methods and lists of necessary parts are made available to the public via the Internet as open-source materials. This ”open sharing of knowledge” has been facilitating connections between YCAM and users and experts around the world, and inspiring new ideas outside the framework of artistic expression, in such different fields as education, agriculture, welfare and sports.

The concept behind the YCAM OPEN LAB is to provide not only artists and researchers, but also a large number of visitors to YCAM with opportunities to participate in this creative cycle, and improve their creativity in cooperation with each other.

Exhibition structure

”Think Things”, the first in a string of “YCAM OPEN LAB” programs, makes use of YCAM’s Foyer and Studio spaces in a continuous way. Installed at the Foyer is a booth where original playing tools created by visitors can be recorded and shared, as well as a workshop for casting new game ideas into shape, while Studio B is transformed into a playground where visitors can actually try and play the new games.