Theo Triantafyllidis
Radical Gaming

September 2, 2021–November 14, 2021
HEK (House of Electronic Arts), Basel


Theo Triantafyllidis
Pastoral, 2019
Theo Triantafyllidis creates virtual worlds and semi-autonomous systems often characterized by absurd, surreal but also poetic situations. These are part of a larger body of work that includes performances, video games and installations. In Pastoral the artist subverts the fantasy genre, creating a transgender ogre, normally non-existent in such stereotypical universes and whom the player is invited to embody. In this small world, there are neither wars nor fights against mythical dragons: the player can simply enjoy a moment’s rest in a hay- field. While conventionally the fantasy genre is characterised by a logic of violence and domination, for Triantafyllidis, the subversion of the fantasy universe lies above all in the elimination of the warlike character and the constant conflict between classes and races.

Theo Triantafyllidis (*1988, Athens, GR) lives and works in Los Angeles. Selected exhibitions include: New Frontier, Sundance Institute, Los Angeles, (2020); ANTI-, Athens Biennale (2018); Hyper Pavilion, Venice Biennale (2017); UCLA Game Art Festival, UCLA Hammer Museum, Los
Angeles (2015).