Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Lorenz.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
During my time studying sound design at Savannah College of Art and Design, I had been exposed to the wide variety of art. I often thought about the different movements art goes through and ask myself questions like, “what kind of art movement is going on right now?”, “Do people recognize contemporary art in the same way that we study art history and it’s movements?”
In 2014, I was attending GDC (Game Developers Conference) in San Francisco. While there, I was introduced to the experimental and alternative games. Those developers were there to challenge what we call video games. They set out to deviate from the Call of Duty’s, the Halo’s, and the Fortnights.
Games produced by 300+ person companies. Games where their central mechanic is violence. Instead, these games begged the player to step into an environment that they created with the sole purpose to experience it. These were the games that captivated me. It felt like they were finding the bridge between commercial art and fine art. I felt that something was happening here, and I wanted to be a part of it in any way possible.
In June of 2018, I attended an experimental film showcase at The Bakery. After the show, I went up to the curator, and we talked about our backgrounds in art, her’s in film (she is a professor of film in New York), and mine in video games. When I told her there is a whole genre of experimental video games, she casually said, “Why don’t you do what I just did? Put on an event”.
Encouraged by her suggestion, I decided to put on an event at The Bakery in hopes to put Atlanta on the same pedestal as other organizations. Similar independent video game shows include Juegos Rancheros in Austin, Babycastles in New York City, The Mild Rumpus in San Francisco. Using these other events as inspiration, I wanted to see where I can take this idea. First step is to put an event on, then we can see where it goes.
On November 1st, I put on my first event called “Exploration: An Experimental Video Game Showcase” featuring nine video game developers from around the world and four local musical acts. People from all over Atlanta (and couple from out of state) came out to see the exhibition. It wasn’t until after the show’s success that I knew I needed a central entity to host and promote future events.
I came up with Avant Beetle, and I now have two more events in the works, all with different themes and curated games. I still don’t know how big this will organization will be, but at least I feel like I’m a part of, but that I’m helping facilitate this video game art movement, whatever it may be, and whatever it might evolve into.
Has it been a smooth road?
There have been many obstacles in my initial event with equipment and overall planning. Since video games are usually played on computers, I needed to figure out how to obtain ten computers, monitors, keyboards, mouses, headphones, and stands or podiums to use to display the games. Your average PC will cost at least $800 for a decent computer. I owned three computers and two monitors.
So I had to figure out how to get the rest and figure out what the minimum specs were for the games. Luckily, some of these indie games are relatively lightweight in terms of graphics and processing power, so I was able to buy a couple of desktop computers that were very cheap. For some of the others, though, I needed to find computers that had powerful graphics cards, which I used my friend’s computers and bought a new high-end laptop for another.
Since there is so much hardware that I needed to obtain, money was another big obstacle. I was fortunate enough to obtain a sponsorship with Wabi Sabi Sound (my employer) and another from the Indie Cluster (which is a part of the Georgia Game Developers Association). They helped alleviate much of the financial burden that I was facing because they believed in what I was trying to do, and I am very thankful for them.
I was able to overcome all of the obstacles that came up during the planning of the event which was why I was able to have such a smooth show when the day came. I’m am so thankful for all the people who helped me out during that time and who gave a helping hand when I needed it.
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
Avant Beetle is an independent organization that hosts curated exhibitions of indie, experimental, and art video games in the Atlanta area. I act as the organizer and curator for these events. I get in contact with the developers who are to be featured and run most of the promotions.
When I first started these events, I made a point not to make a profit and to have events open to the public. Instead of making a profit, I use donations to support the developers who are to be featured. For most of the well-known exhibitions, developers have to pay to be featured.
For my organization that is much smaller and lesser known, all I ask from developers is a copy of the game and an artists statement. My main goal is to bring more visibility to the types of games that I feature and to show people that video games are more than just a billion dollar commercial industry.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
There is definitely a great artist community here in Atlanta, as well as a robust and expanding video game industry. Having the two helped out a lot with gathering interest around Avant Beetle. I feel like my organization can flourish here in Atlanta, and that many people in the community will greatly benefit from my events.
To anyone who wants something out of their city, be the person who provides it. I guarantee that there are many people who are looking for the same thing and will be excited to see you do it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.avantbeetle.com
- Email: contact@avantbeetle.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avantBeetle/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AvantBeetle
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