Ultimate Fantasia
Category:
Book Design, Exhibition Design
Instructor:
Stephen Serrato
Ultimate Fantasia is an exhibition about identity, featuring interactive works by eight new media artists. Held at MoMA PS1, the show invites visitors to explore and question how identities are shaped in both real and virtual worlds.
In real life, we are often defined by labels such as nationality, gender, and profession—like default character templates imposed by the system, difficult to escape. But in virtual worlds, games allow us to rename, reshape, and restart—offering a chance to become more free. I use “game” as both the structure and metaphor for this exhibition, creating a virtual space where identity labels are dismantled.
I used gradients and neon tones to emphasize interactivity and a sense of futurism. The poster designs draw inspiration from handheld console layouts and retro game interfaces. Extending this visual language to the exhibition space, I transformed the building into a neon-lit environment that feels like a game loading screen—blurring the line between reality and simulation.
To extend the experience beyond the exhibition, I designed a book that feels like a game. Shaped like a handheld console, the cover hides the title in a “start-up screen” revealed only when opened, mimicking the act of entering a game. The back replicates a console’s layout with symbols and credits. Printed on metallic paper with a hardcover, the book has a bold, futuristic look.
The book is divided into four chapters, featuring curated writings on digital art and a selection of works by eight featured artists. I used the Input Mono typeface to create a coding atmosphere, and use gloss paper to mimic screen textures. The table of contents is designed as a game map, with artists appearing as characters.
Staying true to the “game” concept, every design detail is infused with digital aesthetics. Each chapter includes game elements like HP, MP, and mini-maps, turning reading into an RPG game adventure. At the end of each chapter is an artwork showcase inspired by “home system” design—inviting readers into the virtual communities that the artist created.
The book closes with a “Mission accomplished!” screen, bringing this virtual journey to a ceremonious end.
In this book, reading becomes a game, and identity is reprogrammed. Each page is an exploration and each chapter is a journey toward virtual freedom.