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Georgia Southern master’s student creates thesis exhibition by rolling the dice

Turning fantasy into reality, Georgia Southern University art student Zak Kelley used Dungeons and Dragons to help shape his MFA thesis exhibition titled “Neo_Fluxus and Dragons.” His work will be on display from March 28 to April 1 at the Center for Art and Theatre’s University Gallery on the Statesboro Campus, with a reception to be held on March 29 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Art by Zak Kelley.

“Dungeons and Dragons has only one main rule: specific over general,” Kelley said. “I use this game mechanic to create rules for my artworks.”

Like determining the outcome of an event in Dungeons and Dragons, Kelley rolls the dice to determine the outcome of his artwork. How the dice fall determines what shapes, colors, and type of medium and materials he will use in his art.

“The formula is vague enough to allow for interpretations of the rules, and this allows for me to create dynamic compositions out of the specific, chance-induced ruleset,” Kelley said.

With his instillation, Kelley has created an experience for gallery guests — some of it scripted, some of it not — where their experiential choices are as driven by chance as his compositional choices. By combining the passive Fluxus style and audience participation with the story-telling aspect of Dungeons and Dragons, Kelley’s work explores how the viewer participates in an art experience.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving nearly 26,500 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.

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