There are several reasons I love creating mosaics of video game themes. For one, I love games. That’s the easiest one. More than that, though, this combination of subject + medium connects ancient methods of pictorial representation with those of the digital age. The contradiction is totally fun. Mosaic is the ultimate analog.
Mosaic pixel art brings the ethereal, fleeting images we see on the screen into a very static, physical form. By giving our most beloved game characters and scenes more permanence, we’re essentially saying “this is how awesome Donkey Kong is. Long after I’m gone, future generations can look at this mosaic and sense the game’s historical importance.” Or something like that.
I made this mosaic of Donkey Kong and Mario (or Jumpman, if you prefer) for my brother-in-law’s birthday. You may be saying, “Hey! There were no bananas in Donkey Kong!” True – but upon wondering how things would have gone if only Mario had been able to offer one to the beast, I had to put one in. There may not be a diplomatic solution to all conflict, but it never hurts to try. (Plus, pixelated bananas are funny.)
I agree – I love pixel art. Your mosaics are awesome…kinda like the pixel graffiti I am in love with.
Posted by Eve | July 19, 2010, 8:53 pmAw, thanks Eve! That means a lot coming from you!
Posted by shannon | July 19, 2010, 11:47 pmWe had Donkey Kong at the supermarket I worked at in High School. We had a deal where if a game was going good, our buddy would punch us in. Good times. This is an awesome piece that I would love to own!
Posted by Martin Fletcher | August 15, 2010, 1:03 amThanks Marty! You may get your chance – I’d like to make another one of these and pop it up on Etsy. Just have to finish a couple of commissions first. Glad you like it!
Posted by shannon | August 15, 2010, 1:16 am