Entertainment

V&A announces new show on video games

V&A director Dr Tristram Hunt said that games would be examined through the perspective of “craft and tradition”.
V&A director Dr Tristram Hunt said that games would be examined through the perspective of “craft and tradition”. V&A director Dr Tristram Hunt said that games would be examined through the perspective of “craft and tradition”.

Grand Theft Auto could have a place at the V&A after it announced a major new exhibition on video games.

The show, to open next autumn, will delve into issues of misogyny and violence in games, as well as the design aspect.

V&A director Dr Tristram Hunt said that games would be examined through the perspective of “craft and tradition”.

“It’s as much the design element as the social element,” he said.

“We are very happy to have them in the same building as Donatellos, Botticellis, Constables and Turners.

“One of the challenges for the V&A is to get people to think differently about what they might not respect visually enough.”

He said that the exhibition will look at the “issue of violence” as well as “gender and misogyny” adding: “We’re not shying away from any of that. We will address all those issues.”

Asked whether controversial games like Grand Theft Auto could be on display, he said: “Yes, We will address all those issues but the curators will know game by game.”

The “hugely timely” show will be the “first in the world to fully consider the complexity of video games as one of the most important design fields of our time”.

Another show next year will examine artist Frida Kahlo’s wardrobe and “how she masterfully crafted her own iconic image” in a take “fitting” for “today’s Instagram generation”.

Following her death in 1954, her personal possessions were sealed in her Mexico City home.

The cupboards were opened 50 years later and found to contain an extraordinary collection of outfits.

The director said he worried over the impact of Brexit on curatorial talent and skill in the UK museum sector.

Pointing to leaked proposals on potential changes to the rights of migrants after Brexit, he said “I don’t think London will ever end up as a cultural backwater” but that it could have an impact on “the talent we’d bring into our museums sector”.

Dr Hunt also said that he had no problem receiving a donation from Leonard Blavatnik, who is reportedly a supporter of Donald Trump.

The new entrance Blavatnik Hall has been named after the businessman.

“We’re very honoured. He is a supporter of art and culture across the UK, across the world. In the week that we acquired the Jeremy Corbyn t-shirt, we accept all political views,” he said.