"The Art of Video Games" exhibit opens at Smithsonian

A new exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum celebrates the 40-year evolution of video games. According to museum director Betsy Broun, it is one of the first major exhibitions to explore video games as an artistic medium.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2

"You could say video games are a great grassroots expression of culture and in some cases art in our democracy," museum director Betsy Broun told CBS Sunday Morning. "I guess what surprised me was just the sort of joyful excitement in the games."

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Pitfall!

"The Art of Video Games" is on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum from March 16 through Sept. 30. The exhibition is set to travel to 10 cities following its run in Washington, D.C.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

A visitor plays Pac-Man at "The Art of Video Games," a new exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Super Mario Brothers 3

"Video games are a prevalent and increasingly expressive medium within modern society," guest curator Chris Melissinos said in a press release. "In the 40 years since the introduction of the first home video game, the field has attracted exceptional artistic talent. Video games, which include classic components of art, offer designers a previously unprecedented method of communicating with and engaging audiences by including a new element, the player, who completes the vivid, experiential art form by personally interacting with the game elements."

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Diablo II

A new exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum celebrates the 40-year evolution of video games. According to museum director Betsy Broun, it is one of the first major exhibitions to explore video games as an artistic medium.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Heavy Rain

"You could say video games are a great grassroots expression of culture and in some cases art in our democracy," museum director Betsy Broun told CBS Sunday Morning. "I guess what surprised me was just the sort of joyful excitement in the games."

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

"The Art of Video Games" is on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum from March 16 through Sept. 30. The exhibition is set to travel to 10 cities following its run in Washington, D.C.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

flOw

"Video games are a prevalent and increasingly expressive medium within modern society," guest curator Chris Melissinos said in a press release. "In the 40 years since the introduction of the first home video game, the field has attracted exceptional artistic talent. Video games, which include classic components of art, offer designers a previously unprecedented method of communicating with and engaging audiences by including a new element, the player, who completes the vivid, experiential art form by personally interacting with the game elements."

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Earthworm Jim

A new exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum celebrates the 40-year evolution of video games. According to museum director Betsy Broun, it is one of the first major exhibitions to explore video games as an artistic medium.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Einhander

"You could say video games are a great grassroots expression of culture and in some cases art in our democracy," museum director Betsy Broun told CBS Sunday Morning. "I guess what surprised me was just the sort of joyful excitement in the games."

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Flower

"The Art of Video Games" is on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum from March 16 through Sept. 30. The exhibition is set to travel to 10 cities following its run in Washington, D.C.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

"Video games are a prevalent and increasingly expressive medium within modern society," guest curator Chris Melissinos said in a press release. "In the 40 years since the introduction of the first home video game, the field has attracted exceptional artistic talent. Video games, which include classic components of art, offer designers a previously unprecedented method of communicating with and engaging audiences by including a new element, the player, who completes the vivid, experiential art form by personally interacting with the game elements."

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Bioshock

A new exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum celebrates the 40-year evolution of video games. According to museum director Betsy Broun, it is one of the first major exhibitions to explore video games as an artistic medium.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Marble Madness

"You could say video games are a great grassroots expression of culture and in some cases art in our democracy," museum director Betsy Broun told CBS Sunday Morning. "I guess what surprised me was just the sort of joyful excitement in the games."

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Mass Effect 2

"The Art of Video Games" is on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum from March 16 through Sept. 30. The exhibition is set to travel to 10 cities following its run in Washington, D.C.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Metal Gear Solid

"Video games are a prevalent and increasingly expressive medium within modern society," guest curator Chris Melissinos said in a press release. "In the 40 years since the introduction of the first home video game, the field has attracted exceptional artistic talent. Video games, which include classic components of art, offer designers a previously unprecedented method of communicating with and engaging audiences by including a new element, the player, who completes the vivid, experiential art form by personally interacting with the game elements."

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Minecraft

A new exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum celebrates the 40-year evolution of video games. According to museum director Betsy Broun, it is one of the first major exhibitions to explore video games as an artistic medium.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

"You could say video games are a great grassroots expression of culture and in some cases art in our democracy," museum director Betsy Broun told CBS Sunday Morning. "I guess what surprised me was just the sort of joyful excitement in the games."

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

"The Art of Video Games" is on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum from March 16 through Sept. 30. The exhibition is set to travel to 10 cities following its run in Washington, D.C.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Okami

"Video games are a prevalent and increasingly expressive medium within modern society," guest curator Chris Melissinos said in a press release. "In the 40 years since the introduction of the first home video game, the field has attracted exceptional artistic talent. Video games, which include classic components of art, offer designers a previously unprecedented method of communicating with and engaging audiences by including a new element, the player, who completes the vivid, experiential art form by personally interacting with the game elements."

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Panzer Dragoon II: Zwei

A new exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum celebrates the 40-year evolution of video games. According to museum director Betsy Broun, it is one of the first major exhibitions to explore video games as an artistic medium.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Rez

"You could say video games are a great grassroots expression of culture and in some cases art in our democracy," museum director Betsy Broun told CBS Sunday Morning. "I guess what surprised me was just the sort of joyful excitement in the games."

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Shadow of the Colossus

"The Art of Video Games" is on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum from March 16 through Sept. 30. The exhibition is set to travel to 10 cities following its run in Washington, D.C.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Shenmue

"Video games are a prevalent and increasingly expressive medium within modern society," guest curator Chris Melissinos said in a press release. "In the 40 years since the introduction of the first home video game, the field has attracted exceptional artistic talent. Video games, which include classic components of art, offer designers a previously unprecedented method of communicating with and engaging audiences by including a new element, the player, who completes the vivid, experiential art form by personally interacting with the game elements."

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Sonic Adventure

A new exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum celebrates the 40-year evolution of video games. According to museum director Betsy Broun, it is one of the first major exhibitions to explore video games as an artistic medium.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Star Strike

"You could say video games are a great grassroots expression of culture and in some cases art in our democracy," museum director Betsy Broun told CBS Sunday Morning. "I guess what surprised me was just the sort of joyful excitement in the games."

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Tomb Raider

"The Art of Video Games" is on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum from March 16 through Sept. 30. The exhibition is set to travel to 10 cities following its run in Washington, D.C.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

"Video games are a prevalent and increasingly expressive medium within modern society," guest curator Chris Melissinos said in a press release. "In the 40 years since the introduction of the first home video game, the field has attracted exceptional artistic talent. Video games, which include classic components of art, offer designers a previously unprecedented method of communicating with and engaging audiences by including a new element, the player, who completes the vivid, experiential art form by personally interacting with the game elements."

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

A new exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum celebrates the 40-year evolution of video games. According to museum director Betsy Broun, it is one of the first major exhibitions to explore video games as an artistic medium.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

"You could say video games are a great grassroots expression of culture and in some cases art in our democracy," museum director Betsy Broun told CBS Sunday Morning. "I guess what surprised me was just the sort of joyful excitement in the games."

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games

"The Art of Video Games" is on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum from March 16 through Sept. 30. The exhibition is set to travel to 10 cities following its run in Washington, D.C.

"The Art of Video Games" exhibition's website
Exhibit's Companion Book
"Sunday Morning": The art of video games