'An Ode to Play' Selected as the Artwork for the New National Video Game Museum
There is space for a work of art at the entrance to the new building of the National Video Game Museum (NVGM). The NVGM Art Project Group, consisting of representatives from the NVGM, has selected Benjamin Pompe’s concept, *An Ode to Play*, from among three preliminary sketches to develop further into a work of art.
Benjamin Pompe’s concept consists of a digital collage measuring approximately 3.6 by 2 meters. The artwork is intended for the wall behind the reception desk. In the collage, he combines images of tools—often referred to as “items” in games—with hardware, such as game consoles. In the center is an image of a hundred-sided die. The work is printed on aluminum or PVC, then laser-cut and assembled from multiple layers. This creates a relief effect and gives the work more depth. The collage does not have a standard rectangular shape, but rather a playful, irregular shape.
The NVGM has responded very enthusiastically to the proposal. The project aligns well with a museum’s role as a collection custodian. The collage itself can also be viewed as a collection. The decision to use elements from games, rather than game characters, has also been well received. Some members of the project group spontaneously set out to trace the origins of the items depicted. One of them said, “You don’t get tired of looking at it; it’s like a scavenger hunt.” Many visitors to the NVGM will likely feel the same way.
The preliminary concept will be further developed over the coming months, in collaboration with the NVGM. The artwork is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 or early 2027. It will be on display for everyone to see at the NVGM’s opening.
Benjamin Pompe (NL, 1997) is an artist and curator. He studied Fine Arts at the Utrecht School of the Arts (HKU). In his work, he explores the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds and between reality and fiction. His practice includes animation, collage, video installations, and performance. By connecting different images, stories, and worlds, he creates works that leave room for imagination and unexpected connections (www.benjaminpompe.com).
