FROM the early creations made up of just a few pixels to today’s sophisticated CGI imagery, computer games graphics have captured the imaginations of people all around the world for decades.

FACT’s new exhibition, opening on Friday, marks a shift in perception – from them being seen simply as a fun pastime to works of art.

Internationally-renowned designers will exhibit their creations next to new media artists’ videos, photography and sculpture in the three-month show.

“There have been quite a few computer games exhibitions around the world since about 2003 and we wanted to do something different,” says FACT curator Heather Corcoran.

“We’re looking specifically at artists using computer games as a medium and look at what kind of cultural issues they’re addressing through this week.”

US-based Bill Viola, who was instrumental in the establishment of video gaming as a form of contemporary art, will showcase his first piece, The Night Journey.

An experimental game, it draws the player through a poetic landscape where the choices they make affect their attempts at enlightenment.

“He is the godfather of video art and extremely accepted in the contemporary art world so the fact that he’s made this move into computer games is really interesting,” says Corcoran.

Mark Essen, an indie game developer from America, has developed a new commission for the show, while the Wood Street arts centre’s Media Lounge is being turned into an interactive environment where visitors can experience the CuteXdoom world of Australian artist Anita Fontaine. “One of the pieces I’m most excited about is by Cao Fei, who’s an up-and-coming art superstar in China,” says Corcoran.

“She’s made a video bringing out this costume play subculture where people dress up as their favourite video game characters and play throughout the city.

“There’s also a piece by Riley Harmon, called Counterstrike, where every time people make a kill, a bloodlike substance drips down the wall as a physical manifestation of the game.”