Artist Response #2: Velvet-Strike: Virtual Peace Making

With technology developing exponentially, new forms of activism begin to manifest. One hi-tech activist is the group known as Velvet-Strike.

Velvet-strike is an online community that protests war and proclaims. Ironically, the movement is played on the popular online first-person shooter (FPS) known as CounterStrike. In this game, two teams - the Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists - battle in a virtual death match. There are different variables to keep gameplay exciting. The purpose of the Velvet-Strike movement is to promote peace in the real world between the United States and the Middle-East. The creator of the Velvet-Strike website also states that he would like to see FPS games move more towards fantasy rather than creating a realistic experience. More can be read at their website.

I was drawn to this art because, once again, I am self-proclaimed gamer myself. I am also drawn to the idea that video games should be used not as a form of propaganda, but as a means of entertainment, hobby, and, most importantly, escapism. In my opinion, a video game is meant to be played to be fun and not as a second life. (Ironically, the game, Second Life, glorifies an alternate life in the virtual world. Seriously? C'mon on...) But anyway, this is a perfect way to reach out to a different audience for pro-peace campaigns. With the help of the group Velvet-Strike, many members can create their own anti-war "spray" decals and display them in the game.

I know that CounterStrike was a very popular game several years ago, but now its a little dated. World of Warcraft seems to be the biggest, new fad in terms of computer gaming. With 12 million players, I think there is a sustantial audience to reach out to for any kind of movement. Being a WoW player myself, I think art can be expressed through guilds, game add-ons, and even character modifications.