An exploration into the world of early 2000s video game aesthetics reveals a unique blend of nostalgia and innovation. Gao Hang, an artist based in America but hailing from China, crafts paintings that capture the essence of early virtual worlds. His work revisits the pixelated landscapes and angular characters of consoles like PlayStation and Nintendo 64, which were once considered revolutionary. These digital realms, though now seen as outdated, hold a certain charm for Gao, who uses his art to evoke the wonder they once inspired. With an airbrush technique, he brings these memories back to life, highlighting the strange beauty of low poly graphics.
Gao's creations do more than reminisce about past gaming experiences; they delve into deeper themes. The artist often titles his pieces humorously, yet beneath the surface lies a profound commentary on the blurring boundaries between reality and the virtual world. During the early 2000s, when games transitioned from 2D to 3D, players experienced a paradigm shift in how they perceived digital environments. For Gao, this was a formative period during which these virtual spaces felt almost as real as the physical world. He discusses how games like Counter-Strike, with their intricate details and immersive gameplay, influenced his understanding of the world. This era marked the beginning of a new kind of universe where physics, community, and morality intertwined.
The fascination with simulation theory drives much of Gao's artistic expression. Inspired by philosophical concepts from thinkers like Jean Baudrillard and Nick Bostrom, as well as ancient Chinese philosophy, Gao views his work as a bridge connecting primitive cave paintings to the future of hyper-realistic 3D characters. His paintings serve as a record of the first generation of digital beings, capturing their rawness and imperfections. As technology progresses towards creating sentient virtual entities, Gao's art stands as a testament to the origins of this emerging civilization. By blending humor, nostalgia, and philosophical depth, his creations remind us of the transformative power of imagination and creativity, encouraging us to embrace the evolving relationship between humans and technology.