By Michael McWhertor

I Am 8-Bit Version 2.007 kicked off at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles last week, featuring over two hundred pieces of original artwork from over a hundred artists. Artwork on hand spanned the globe from local area artists such as painter Luke Cheuh and Jose Emroca Flores to Japan-based miniature sculptor Shuji Suzuki and painter Yosuke Ueno.

While the representation from artists worldwide and various industries was impressive, with artwork crammed into every available space, the crowds were reassuringly mad in their attendance. Some 1400-odd art-loving geeks lined up to take a peek at the 8-bit inspired showing.

The opening night reception kicked off at 7 PM, but I didn't meet up with my fellow attendees until ninety-minutes later. In the typical LA fashion, no one leaves the house until their actual meeting time.

Tokyo Game Show 06 contributor Scott Andrews and I crossed paths just outside of Pink's Hot Dogs, just prior to our run in with the already in line Mr. Wabiszczewicz. One horribly rude line-cut and ten minutes later, we're in.

Just inside the walls of Gallery 1988, moderate in size, the temperature rose an uncomfortable 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. As Scott put it, "Wow, a congregation of gamers can produce some serious BTU's." With all that fleece, extra body fat, not to mention the burning light shining from overhead and from the GameTrailers TV lights, the outside chill was nothing but a fading memory.

The throngs of shuffling gawkers moved at chaotic snails pace throughout the gallery, making art appreciation a daunting task (by art appreciation standards).

Many of the show's artists tackled familiar topics, such as Nintendo properties Mario and Zelda, with the next most popular subjects being classic arcade games such as Pac-Man, Q*bert, Dig Dug and Joust.

All were represented in a wide array of methods and situations, with Anna Chambers "Link to the Plush", a rather self-explanatory soft fabric sculpture of the elfin Zelda hero taking up the naturally pleasing end and Jude Buffum's "Happy Ending" series filling out the more sexualized, borderline offensive end. Buffum's 8" x 8" acrylic paintings put Nintendo's princess, Bowser, Mario and Kung Fu stars in a four-part sequence of overtly sexual poses to great effect.

Travis Louie's "Q*Bert Apprehended" turned Midway's orange noser into a straight-jacket restrained madman with more serious tones, with Joust getting cutesy (Chueh's "Joust Bird-Shit"), comical (Joe Vaux's "Joust") and fantastical (Rich Tuzon's "Joust V1.0 Morning Flight").

Other artists took on 80's era throwbacks like Metroid, Burgertime, Bubble Bobble and even the Nintendo Power Glove, in sculpted and painted forms.

Some artists, including California native Brandon Bird, touched on more non-traditional subjects. In his painting "Battle of the Heroes" he imagines a Konami developed arcade hit based on the Craig T. Nelson television show "Coach" to a refreshingly believable effect.

His previous blend of celebrity and videogames, "No One Wants To Play Sega With Harrison Ford" was also available for sale as a print at the show.

Other more obscure games that were thankfully represented include Karnov, The Adventures of Bucky O'Hare, Berzerk and NARC. Hopefully, in the future, a broader range of games with unique aesthetics will inspire artists to create, as Mario and his co-stars could be considered over-represented.

Slightly more gimmicky, but no less impressive, was Jason Torchinsky's 5-foot tall Atari 2600 joystick. Built from scratch and (mostly) functional, the controller was hooked up to an Atari VCS behind the gallery, with pairs of players attempting to wield the massive stick in a futile attempt to control Pitfall star Pitfall Harry. Standing proud in the midst of the partying masses, who drank for free, their only payment being a long line wait, the stick presented an extra dose of challenge for Atari fans looking for a retro fix.

As we left the show about a half-hour before it was scheduled to wind down, the crowds hadn't noticeably thinned. Nor had the line. Still hoping to attend the opening reception, the queue still spanned most of the block, meaning at least a 45-minute wait for those near the end.

To say that the gallery's I Am 8-Bit opening was a success could only be considered an understatement. Packed to capacity crowds aside, when I revisited Gallery 1988 later that weekend, more than half of the show's pieces had been sold, with dozens of fresh visitors making inquiries about paintings and sculptures. There is still plenty of artwork still available for purchase from the event, with Gallery 1988 listing prices and availability on their official site.

I picked up three pieces from Japanese artist Suzuki, including a Kid Icarus sculpt and a set of Toaplan's Snow Bros.

The show runs until May 12, so if you make it to the LA area, you'd do well not to miss it. In the meantime, check out our I Am 8-Bit photo gallery for over fifty original shots of the artwork. Thanks to Scott Andrews for his contribution to this story and the gallery.

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