This video game invites visitors to explore a new world through the lens of decolonization and decentralization. The project was originally commissioned, produced and exhibited by Serpentine Arts Technologies between 2021-2023 as part of its commitment to artistic interventions that challenge and reshape the role that technologies can play in culture and society. It has been touring internationally ever since, shown at venues (including the Pinacoteca in São Paulo, the Ars Electronica Festival in Linz, Julia Stoschek Collection in Dusseldorf, Centre Pompidou in Metz and the MAAT in Lisbon) and now comes to Brussels for an exclusive stop as part of its world tour.
Third World: The Bottom Dimension is a project that brings together a generation of interdisciplinary, queer, Afro-diasporic Brazilian artists, including Novíssimo Edgar, Castiel Vitorino Brasileiro, and LYZZA. Their work reflects on the challenges of self-representation and encourages us to reconsider how we understand and orient ourselves in the world.
Massan’s work explores the concepts of strangeness and ignorance, especially in the way the so-called ‘Third World’ is often portrayed. At the same time, it explores how digital infrastructures can empower people, drive change, and share and spread different perspectives.
“This is a project that awakens awareness of individual responsibility towards the established world. The main motivation during research and development was to create an experience that critically looks at the replication of colonial ideas in a virtual environment. The player is invited to rethink their mission and role in encounters and challenges.”
Gabriel Massan is a multidisciplinary digital artist from Brazil, born in 1996 and currently based in Berlin. They have a strong interest in Latin American culture, issues of inequality, marginalization, and the subversion of traditional narratives.
The game was commissioned and produced by Serpentine Arts Technologies. Powered by Tezos. Game commissioned in association with the Julia Stoschek Collection.
Translation and optimisation supported by Pinacoteca de São Paulo.
Additional support from MAAT.
This project is part of this season’s programme, inspired by the exhibition When We See Us.
