Taike appoints Finland’s first regional artist for games as art

Taike’s regional artist for games as art covers the field where traditional artforms and games as art overlap with the aim of promoting the status and employment of artists in this field. This is the first time that Taike has appointed a regional artist specifically for games as art.

Jaakko Kemppainen has a long professional background in game design and digital culture. He has a comprehensive understanding of game design covering the perspectives of the game industry, game developers, education and art. Kemppainen believes that interactive and aesthetic experiences lie at the heart of games as art.

“I want to highlight the diversity of games and the opportunities they provide as tools for self-expression and artistic work. I think it is important to include the artistic and cultural values of games in the public debate. As the share of the population that plays games expands and diversifies, the demand and possibilities for different game experiences continues to grow. I see games as a tool that can be used to produce entertainment, art and even documentary content. Games can also serve as a tool for processing personal and social themes alongside – and as part of – technological, financial and entertainment values,” Kemppainen explains.

Kemppainen began working at Taike’s regional office in Kouvola on 4 February 2019 and is responsible for the Southeast Finland, Häme and Uusimaa regions. His term as regional artist is for five years.

Altogether, 24 people applied for the position of regional artist for games as art.

Further information:

Johanna Vuolasto
Special Advisor
Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Kouvola
t. +358 295 330 870
[email protected]