Fun & Games: Playtime, past, and present
In 2020, people all over the world have found themselves separated from friends and loved ones for long periods. Games and hobbies have provided comfort and stimulation, offering fun and creative ways to pass the time alone or with our households, and opportunities to connect with others online.
The Portico Library first opened in 1806. Its books contain histories of games from that time, plus other volumes on play and pastimes that continue to have influence today. This exhibition presents these alongside artworks by Birungi Kawooya, Bob Bicknell-Knight, Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley, Gray Wielebinski, Hope Strickland, and Polly Tayarachakul, plus activities inspired by the Library’s history and collection.
Early 19th-century games reflected the evolving concept of childhood and innovations in printing technologies. Many were designed to reinforce cultural conventions and dominant attitudes, but playing games can also help us to learn about relationships, probability, language, behaviour, and society. While communal hobbies and pastimes can strengthen bonds and encourage creativity, the artists and writers in this exhibition also consider how games are used as social and ideological tools by those with power and privilege.
Curated by James Moss. Assisted by Apapat Jai-in Glynn. Online version edited by Sarah Hill.
Artists: Birungi Kawooya, Bob Bicknell-Knight, Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley, Gray Wielebinski, Hope Strickland, Polly Tayarachakul.
Thanks to Emma Marigliano, Thu Le, Abdulhameed Aldurayhee, Erica Tucker, Kaya Peters, Paul Wake, Ben Edwards, Steph Boydell, Campbell Price, Dr Esther Gomez-Sierra, David Rogerson, Steve Slack, Tim Higson, Safiya Embashi, Liz Mitchell, Rosie Gnatiuk, Robert Bracey, Tom Hockenhull, Greenhill Academy, and the Manchester Games Studies Network.
‘Game board’ tiles based on The Game of Chance, or Harlequin Takes All, 1794, Wellcome Collection.
Supported by the Zochonis Charitable Trust.
The Portico Library is a charity.
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