Opening Energy Battlefield

New Order 3/5: Femke Herregraven & Chris Lee

23 Mar 2012

During the third New Order exhibition, a new social order is in your hands. Graphic designers Femke Herregraven and Chris Lee developed a life sized, real-time board game evolving around the topic of energy trading. The game can be played and navigated by the visitors of the exhibition. Take your friends to the opening of the show and see whose future is the brightest.

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Energy Battlefield - Let the game start at the opening of Energy Battlefield Simone Schoutens

Hyper-butter, Mana-batteries - a life-size board game, near-future utopia

In response to the theme of New Order, designers Femke Herregraven and Chris Lee aim to model and catalyze reflection on possible conflicts that emerge when the global competition for limited energy resourses becomes a non-issue. Through this game, four teams of players explore the politics and economics of the 'New Order' energy abundance by taking on the role of either The Democratic Federation, New Iceland, Mercenary Corporation or P2P Mob. Each of these teams represent a conflicting modus operandi and approaches to energy abundance, which are represented through the mechanics of the game.

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Team Yellow - At the opening of Energy Battlefield Simone Schoutens

The Artists

Chris Lee (CA/NL) is a graphic designer who works with the issue of alternative currencies, and graphic design as an exercise of power (not just by graphic designers). He has been involved with a number of publications and studios: Metahaven, C Magazine, the journal Scapegoat, Art Metropole, Journal of Aesthetics and Protest, Volume magazine, amongst others.

Femke Herregraven (NL) is a graphic designer. In her work she performs almost journalistic research on topics that touch upon the most sensitive spots of contemporary civil society and its geo-politics: food and military security, urban and digital privacy, financial flows. She then re-packages her findings into compelling scenarios and visual narratives, proposing different sides of truth and critical visions on our reality. Her projects and partners include Kunst Reserve Bank, Metahaven and Sonic Acts festival.

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Bezoekers spelen Energy Battlefield - Picture taken during the opening of Energy Battlefield, the third installment of the New Order exhibition at Mediamatic Fabriek, Oostenburgereiland Amsterdam. At the opening of Energy Battlefield. New Order, 23 maart 2011, Mediamatic Fabriek Simone Schoutens

With: Rory Hyde

New Order Series

New Order explores a world in which energy has become a fundamental principle of our society. Five consecutive solo shows feature new works by Dutch and international artists, designers and architects, each responding to various elements of society - such as politics, economy, health, food and experience - which together combine to outline a complete future world. Click here to read more about New Order.

More information

Opening on March 23 from 17.30 to 21.00. The game starts at 18.00 sharp and will take approximately 1,5 hours. Can't come at 18.00? Join one of the four playing teams. After the game, drinks and music with DJ Zovirax (artist formerly known as BUSHDOOF).

The game starts at 17.00. Please RSVP to let us know if you want to join a game. Entrance fee is 1,- or 5,- for a passe-partout for all New Order shows. Also still on view are Radiant Beach and Meet Your Energy Avatar. Mediamatic FABRIEK is situated on the Oostenburgereiland. Visit this page for directions.

New Order is made possible by Mondriaan Stichting, Ministerie van OCW, Gemeente Amsterdam, SNS Reaal Fonds and Stadgenoot.