I'm spent most of my life building relationships – with my family, with class and workmates, within the community, and with colleagues throughout the world. But since the pandemic, where I have chosen to physically isolate more, my relationships have been mostly through media.
I have been drawn to K-dramas (Korean language tv shows), and other East Asian cultural films and tv shows, because the script writers are pros in storytelling, especially about relationships – all kinds of relationships – grandparent/parent/grandchild, work, couples, sports, the list goes on and on…
Yesterday I ventured out into the world to visit Yi Xie's special one-day exhibit at the Asian Museum in SanFrancisco, entitled "LIAN: A Game About Love and Distance." I don't generally like video games, because they often include combat, competition, and violence. In the LIAN game, there is no competition, no winner or loser. There's not even a set of instructions on how to play the game.
Here's the LIAN blurb on the Asian Museum website:
LIAN, a collaborative multiplayer game with a uniquely romantic theme (its name translates to yearning, longing, or love). Embark on a journey through a colorful, abstract narrative with three thematic stages: Adventure, Guardianship, and Companionship. Decode enigmatic shapes and symbols as you interact with fellow players to overcome puzzles and challenges. Each visual element holds a deeper meaning, offering new possibilities for interpersonal connection while inviting players to reflect on the complex dynamics of love and distance.
Like the designer, I was brought up in a home where we didn't work through feelings, which is why I became a counselor. As in Li's family, especially the men in my family, were mostly silent about their feelings. Li is attempting to break this barrier by creating animated visual exhibits and virtual games that bring folks together to break through emotional barriers. Viewers are not asked to identify with a character in the game. We are the players. Experience playing the game with others. It will be on the market soon.
LIAN Activity Ideas:
What was the experience of playing the LIAN game like for you?
What did you learn about yourself from playing the game?
What did you learn about another or others from playing the game?
How did the visuals and music influence your experience?
Would you play the game with others in a love, home, community, or work environment?
I wondered how Li could put months into designing this game for playing on-site, when it was only exhibited at the Asian Museum for one day. Then I realized that though all four walls of the museum's large exhibit room were totally filled with his animated images, he could break down the exhibit quickly simply by closing down the projectors and handheld devices. Now that's efficient!
Soon the exhibit will be popping up in other museums throughout the country. Play the game from your environment of preference.
