One Last Thing

Last night I had the opportunity to have dinner with game designer Anna Anthropy. We briefly discussed Death Receptionist and the prospects of making it into both a video game and a board game in addition to the role playing game. If I did decide to follow that path changing the forms would dramatically change the game - the new forms would indeed be new games with the only commonality being a similar flavor. We came to the conclusion that there is no need for it.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I believe the installation and performance went well. People/Players were receptive to the game as well as the space. I was told I successfully transformed the space beyond the white cube. I received some excellent written commentary.

A couple of my favorite quotes:

"Eerie and haunting."

"There's just something about this atmosphere...I don't know how to describe it - it is somewhat relaxing, yet an uneasy familiar feeling. Interesting piece."

Most everyone understood the concept and seemed to enjoy themselves. I am pleased with the way things turned out.

I met again with both James and Steve during and after the show.

James felt it was successful, but that my artist statement was a bit heavy handed in terms of spelling out exactly what the piece is about. I told him the reason for this was that I did not expect that every person who walked into the gallery would play the game and I wanted to afford them the opportunity to understand what the piece was about.

Steve seemed to really like the project and the way it turned out. During the Tuesday evening opening he certainly played the game with an aim to potentially break it. Although he played multiple times and as different characters there was a time he came in and said he had lost his pet. We made a lost pet flyer and posted it in the hallway on the bulletin board.

The Exhibition

Moving!

Today was the day! I went to get all the furniture from Sarah Lowe and the desk from John's basement. Luckily the weather was cooperative! I rented a U-Haul this morning and Rickey and Marek helped me move everything. I drove the U-Haul it is MUCH larger and MORE scary than my tiny honda. We picked up all the furniture from Sarah without event then proceeded to John's house to get the desk. Did I mention that is the HEAVIEST desk on the face of the planet?!?!?! I couldn't have pulled off moving all this furniture today without friends! I am so lucky to have people to help me...

The Particulars

I have been working on the finer details of the gallery installation. Obtaining small, but necessary things like a small radio to play classical music and various cleaners to make the gallery space actually smell more medical/lobby-esque.

In addition I have put up a small white board with scheduled play sessions for people to come play together.

For Tuesday evening I believe that I will need some help as I anticipate the gallery being quite busy. I have recruited DC Spensley to be a "nurse" and to help facilitate the flow of the game and "hospital."

Artist Statement

Finally I finished it:

As an artist, with an interest in sociology, I primarily focus on awareness, interactivity, and social change. The study of sociology is an integral part of my work as I always strive to engage the community regarding public concerns. In addition, I believe in creating the platform for the viewer/user to have an experience which hopefully allows them to see things from a new perspective.

Death Receptionist is an experiential role playing game. My motivation for this project is mostly personal. I have always wanted to create a work that reflected the wide range of emotions being experienced at my 'day job' as a veterinary receptionist in a 24 hour emergency hospital. For me it made the most sense to create a role playing game so that players would be able to experience things firsthand. Every other alternative seemed to dramatically downplay the seriousness of the decisions that must be made regarding lives and regarding money.

The reception lobby in the gallery was created with stage props. It was important to me that people were not only able to play the game in the gallery space, but that a stage was created to promote awareness regarding the complexity of the emotionally charged decisions. I want to encourage a more careful consideration of pet ownership.

For the audience, I am hoping the game offers some insight. I would be delighted if participants walked away with more questions than when they came in to play. Perhaps a discussion will spark about the legality and morality of euthanasia based on financial decisions, or perhaps people will begin talking about what it means to watch a close family member battle with terminal illness, or perhaps there will be a conversation about the financial situation 99% of all Americans face. I am hoping this game sets the stage for a new conversation – one you may not have had otherwise. For me, I am hoping this will add closure to a chapter in my life.

Flyer! Wootz!

ok, ok I outsourced to a professional.
- Hizuru Cruz [BFA Graphic Design SJSU]