![Image Credit: Jarra Karalinar Steel A pattern of love hearts and diamonds in purple.]( https://bleedonline.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Hero-Image-love.exe-Jarra-Karalinar-Steel-1.jpg)
Growing up in the 1990s, romantic love was rarely represented in Jarra Karalinar Steel’s community in the media, and discussions about love often excluded romantic love.
Jarra found herself being immersed in video games such as Quest for Glory, Fallout, Baldur’s Gate 2, all featuring romance mechanics that allowed players to form in-game relationships. This passion continued as an adult with the Dragon Age series and most recently with Baldur’s Gate 3. The well-crafted, mature characters and relationships, as well as the fandom surrounding the companions inspired Jarra to explore the emotions behind fictional romances and the communities they foster.
love.exe is an installation that delves into the emotional landscapes of fictional relationships found in these games. It reflects on how virtual connections often serve as social surrogates, offering a safe space for people to explore their desires and emotions.
Participants are invited to engage in an immersive environment, encouraging them to relax, converse, and contribute their own digital love letters.
love.exe emphasizes the intricate relationships between our digital interactions and our emotional realities, shaping how we understand ourselves and our connections to others.
- love.exe is commissioned and produced by Arts House as part of BLEED 2024.
BLEED (Biennial Live Event in the Everyday Digital) was conceived by Campbelltown City Council through Campbelltown Arts Centre, and The City of Melbourne through Arts House. BLEED 2024 is produced and presented by Campbelltown Arts Centre, Arts House, and Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts in partnership with Treasure Hill Artist Village.