KAWS is taking his work to the world of Fortnite. This week, the American artist’s latest show is debuting in Epic Games’ wildly popular video game, as well as the Serpentine Gallery in London’s Kensington Gardens.
The show, called “New Fiction,” will allow those who can’t make it to London to experience it through a faithful recreation of the iconic art gallery in the world of Fortnite.
“It’s a real 1-1 exhibition, in a classic museum space, where the paintings and sculptures are hanging and positioned in a particular way, and that’s exactly how it was made in Fortnite,” KAWS said, per Fast Company. “For a lot of teenagers, it may be their first time at a museum art show, and I think there’s a great opportunity to provide that in an area—Fortnite—that they’re so familiar with. I remember being younger, I found galleries intimidating, but here this is in your territory. And it’s exciting that this has never been done.”
According to Nate Nanzer, Epic Games’ VP of global partnerships, this is the first time a virtual art gallery has been made available in Fortnite and its millions of players globally. “Art and creative culture inspire our players on a daily basis, and we’re thrilled that this partnership will bring the work of KAWS to an even more diverse global audience,” he said in a statement. “This is a space we plan to continue to invest in over the coming years.”
In a conversation with Art News, KAWS described the two versions of the exhibit as a “mirror of each other.” Recreated on a 1:1 scale, it’s now available to see in the game’s creative mode. In addition to the Fortnite exhibit, an AR version will be available to use through the Acute Art app.
“I always like exploring new mediums for my art. The collaboration with Fortnite means everything is coming together in a complex exhibition that takes place in parallel realities,” KAWS added.
Check out some screenshots from the Fortnite version of the exhibit below, and check it out for yourself in the game starting today. “New Fiction” runs at the Serpentine Gallery until February 27.
