Retro arcade machines are transformed into art installations at Studio One - Toi Tū, Auckland Council’s community art facility in Ponsonby, this month.
Arca Arcade “Round One”, is an immersive exhibition that combines retro and new technologies with playful, hands-on art experiences, designed to engage and entertain visitors of all ages. The exhibition blends nostalgic technology with contemporary art under designer Preston Khan McNeil's guidance. Wall-mounted, playable arcade machines are transformed into nine artistic installations adorned with te ao Māori influences and styles from prominent Aotearoa New Zealand artists.
McNeil collaborated with local artistic talents Gina Kiel, Flox, Otis Frizzell, Joe Sheehan, and Otis Chamberlain for the project, and what transpired is art with a distinctive style that is uniquely Aotearoa New Zealand.
“What started as an industrial design passion project has transformed into an art initiative, now serving a community deeply influenced by 80s and 90s arcade gaming”, says McNeil.
"When I began designing the arcade cabinet, my brief was to create something compact and elegant, that looked like art, and that my wife wouldn’t mind having in a living space,” he says.
“The collection stands as a poignant homage to the enduring allure and cultural significance of arcade gaming. Arca Arcade isn’t just a throwback to yesteryear, this modern take on arcade cabinet design becomes a canvas to explore the intertwining of inspiration and fabrication, to create the unexpected.”
McNeil's multifaceted expertise—forged by a longstanding passion for arcade gaming, a curiosity for arcade machine tinkering, and a seasoned background in digital design—forms the bedrock of this ambitious venture.
Siobhan Connelly, Studio One - Toi Tū Manager, says the exhibition is a special opportunity to bring communities together through a shared passion for creativity and the nostalgic joy of arcade gaming.
“It’s a playful and immersive experience where iconic machines are elevated to art, celebrated for their design, history, and cultural impact,” adds Connelly.
“Each exhibition we host brings something unique for our visitors and Arca Arcade “Round One” is no different. Not only is it an immersive experience, but it’s also a competition to strive for the top spot on the leaderboards, which is fitting and a pleasant surprise as most exhibits often deter physical interaction,” she says.
“We’re delighted to offer something new to our visitors, from near and far, to discover and enjoy”.
Both Arca Arcade “Round One” exhibition, and the competition for the top spot on the leaderboard, are on until 31 October at Studio One – Toi Tū, Ponsonby.
