Connecting Principle is an art centred international multi-disciplinary research forum at Newcastle University instigating a dialogue between art and other disciplines. The aim of the forum is to increase opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration within academia and independently. Connecting Principle sees itself as an international network of artists, theorists and researchers.

Video games: Aesthetics and Phenomenology
Antonio Riello
Monday, 11 May 10, 11.00am - 12.30pm
Space 7, Culture Lab, Newcastle University

International artist Antonio Riello will discuss the video game in contemporary art. "Basically I am interested in the video game as autonomous media. I think it is an important and significant opportunity for contemporary artists. Every time has had its own specific media and video games are marking the culture of this era in a significant way". His presentation will include basic ideas and concepts about the medium, a brief overview of the history of art and video games, as well as an introduction to new approaches in this area.

Antonio Riello is an artist based in Asiago (Italy) and London (UK). He studied chemistry and architecture in Venice. In 1997 he designed and realized one of the first video game artworks in Europe: "ITALIANI BRAVA GENTE".
He teaches Video game Art at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera (Milano) and at Domus Academy (Milano). Antonio was a visiting lecturer at the Ruskin School of Arts, Oxford; the University of Reading; and Derby School of Art and Design.
As a teacher and artist, he is interested in the interface between contemporary art and video games. His artistic approach is based on the paradoxical inner nature of contemporary culture and way of life. The contemporary Italian society, with all its controversial issues, is the main playground of his artistic research. His most recent work is the Net Art project “ONLYTHEGOOD.ORG”.

Antonio Riello has shown his work worldwide. Recent exhibitions in the North East include:
2005 The world is a safer place, Globe Gallery, Newcastle
2009 B.SQUARE!, Baltic Center for Contemporary Arts, Gateshead
2009 Ashes to ashes, Globe Gallery, Newcastle