Featuring her latest iteration of her video game “The Game: The Game,” Professor Washko’s exhibition at Squeaky Wheel invites audiences to engage with the world of pick-up artists from the point of view of a femme presenting person. The opening will feature a public conversation between Washko and artist Stephanie Rothenberg. A newly commissioned essay by Dorothy Santos accompanies the exhibit.
“The Game: The Game” is a video game presenting the practices of several prominent seduction coaches (aka pick-up artists or PUAs) through the format of a dating simulator. In the game these pick-up gurus attempt to seduce the player using their signature techniques taken verbatim from their instructional books and video materials. The game sets up the opportunity for players to explore the complexity of the construction of social behaviors around dating as well as the experience of being a femme-presenting individual navigating this complicated terrain.
Exhibition on view September 15 – December 9
Public Programs
September 15, 7:30pm: Exhibition opening and conversation with Angela Washko and Stephanie Rothenberg
September 18, 6:00pm: Angela Washko at University at Buffalo Art Department Speaker Series
September 19, 4:00pm: Angela Washko at Digital Humanities Group at Canisius College