The User’s Guide to Gridism (v.2.0)
The manifesto is updated to reflect new metaverse technology.
Gridism is a fine art genre aimed at recording online multiplayer gaming culture and user relationships with avatar expression. The range of this discipline applies from social MMOs like VRChat, all the way to longstanding combat-based games like World of Warcraft.
Wherever there are multiplayer online worlds, users engage and express themselves through avatar customization, uploaded content, and written and oral tradition that pervades through the userbase. These users can come to bond with their avatars and creations in cases of expression that provides a free space for them to be themselves.
Through virtual photography and traditional art, Gridism seeks to record this phenomenon for record-keeping. Gridism also seeks to validate experiences on the developer side as well; all too often, multiplayer online worlds are created and erased through lack of funding and shifting priorities with the changing demands of the gaming industry. Gridism offers a way to record these worlds through art, to remember their existence and accomplishments.
In the long run, Gridism can be used as a benchmark of public online consciousness. User expression in multiplayer worlds can often cross boundaries of gender and social roles, leading people to rethink what truly defines them. The art produced from this discipline can provide a valuable snapshot for art historians and sociologists.
Note: the original Gridist manifesto was written in 2016, before virtual reality could become more prominent and change how users interact with gaming and identity. The manifesto has now expanded on what can be considered Gridist. You can find the original document here.
Examples of Gridist Paintings and Photography
So, what does this art look like?
Gridist paintings will tell you somehow that they take place within a gaming environment. There will be a mention of controls, UI, stats, or odd geometry to lead you to this conclusion. There will be a focus on the player or culture of the game as its subject, or a focus on the avatar’s style and fashion. The art might highlight a fond memory, or highlight cultural problems of the game the artist wishes to point out.
Gridism photography is no different. While selfies can be considered Gridist and highlight avatar identity and style, a complete story can provide better interest. If you are a virtual photographer, try to include various elements of interest in your portraiture to let the viewer know more about your subject. Photography can also cover landscapes in multiplayer worlds, highlighting creations left behind by their users.
What Are Some Challenges?
Copyright and ethics issues. Game companies may step in to distribute cease and desist notices to artists whose work eventually threatens pre-existing intellectual property. While most art focuses on user-made avatars, there’s room for argument on what artists may or may not depict in artwork. Expect a very long debate in this area.
False depictions of online worlds. It’s easy to fake it when your work is based on virtual creations, to paint something that simply doesn’t exist in-game. Over time, viewers should be able to tell what art is based on real games and genuine experiences. Listen to the artists’ explanation of their work. The way they speak of it will let you know if they’re being honest.
Corporate interest, unchecked. Tech companies should be encouraged to interact with artists to bring more Gridist work to the public. However, this can easily go sour. Artists in working relationships with tech companies might be pressured to depict only positive experiences. Be wary of anyone who patronizes your work. Make sure everything is transparent in your dealings. No one company deserves to dominate the narrative of this discipline.
Tips For Artists
How to approach Gridism at all? Where do you begin?
Look for a multiplayer online games that allows for user contributions. Games such as DayZ, VRChat, Eve Online, Second Life, Altspace, Rec Room, Minecraft, and Wurm Online are a great start. Make an account, log on, and look around. Observe how other players express themselves. Take note of the culture in-game. You’ll soon find something inspiring to paint.
Keep in mind that the game needs to be multiplayer in order to count as Gridist. Your favorite single-player and co-op game will not count. Unpopulated/abandoned servers are fine, as they still have the chance to be multiplayer.
Record what you see. A player’s abode, a common tavern or town center. A guild of users who have played together for years. A surprise birthday party. A portrait of an online couple. A group outing, situated just outside of a dungeon, waiting silently for all of their members to arrive.
Use VR equipment if you have it. Gear such as Oculus will enhance a painting because it creates a far better understanding of spatial distance. Put on your virtual reality headgear and take a look around. Have a user stand or sit near you — and paint them. Paint everything with the presence you feel in that moment. That is Gridism at its best.
Above all, enjoy the game you play as you depict it. There’s no use in painting anything in a virtual world if you don’t actually like it.
FAQ And Credits
Could other types of art be considered Gridist? What about sculpture or collage?
These things can be considered Gridist. It should be about multiplayer worlds. It is HIGHLY encouraged that you keep physical copies of your work to remember the worlds you visit. Don’t just make digital art and leave the work to get lost!
Where did the “Gridist” name come from?
It is taken from the phrase “virtual grid”. This is often used in describing Second Life, but the term “grid” first comes from the Tron series. People often argue too much about the term “metaverse”, so this phrase was not used.
Why not “Virtualism”?
Virtualism is taken; it’s a different genre created by Frank Popper.
Virtual reality can go to some pretty dark places. Do you expect Gridism to take this turn sometimes?
I fully expect it to. Dystopian views, themes of distraction, psychological issues, are inevitable to depict in Gridist work. Gaming isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. The industry already has its fair share of problems, and VR is only just now taking off!
I have more questions! Or suggestions! Or something to change in this document!
Please leave a comment or contact me at (kgpaints on Twitter). Thank you so much for being interested in making this manifesto even better! I’m not great at typing manifestos, but I have a lot of passion for this subject.
Now go pick up a brush and paint those virtual worlds!
For comments and questions, please contact @kgpaints on Twitter.
