– – untitled (Palace of Culture I) – –

A short explanatory video of the world-famous Palace of Culture from Iași, Romania:

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Untitled (Palace of Culture I) is a collection of shots that depict a virtual reconstruction of the building with the same name, which is considered the main symbol and visual identity of my natal city of Iași, Romania; all of it in the virtual space of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

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Firstly, having a building that is self-proclaimed “The Palace of Culture” in a video game about the trials and tribulations of mafia life already creates a contrast optimal for harboring an interesting setting for the film.

Secondly, as part of my research into how to frame contemporary Eastern European (masculine) culture in regards to present-day postcolonial theory, exploring how the implied story of GTA:SA can be used to talk about my background is a key step in negotiating the inherent power dynamics and ethics of using cultural appropriation as a discursive/ artistic method.

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In framing the universe and stylistics of GTA:SA as part of the West and therefore western culture, having interventions and/or markers of the Second World space constitutes for me at the very least an exercise in creating so-called diaspora aesthetics. The difference I bring is that these aesthetics are confined to the virtual space in this context.

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Lastly, framing the subject that is the building in the context of GTA:SA is a personally relevant choice in the sense that the game has not only been an intimate part of my childhood; but it has also garnered an immense cult-following.

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