BOSS
HILDE & BÅRD TØRDAL | 2012 | H2500 X W6300 X D5MM | CAST ACRYLIC, PAINT, PLYWOOD
Our commissioned artwork for Lunde Primary School in Skien, which opened in 2013, was a big project. We created a mosaic measuring 6.3 x 2.5 metres for the library on the floor housing the oldest primary school pupils. The mosaic incorporated elements from both classic and lesser-known computer games, drawing inspiration from our childhood favourites as well as contemporary titles.
The design was crafted using a CNC router and comprised 1,624 individual pieces made from acrylic glass and Sapeli plywood. We meticulously assembled these pieces using 5,940 mounting screws over the course of three days. To add visual interest and depth to the mosaic, we positioned the plywood pieces in various orientations, letting them reflect light at different angles.
As a nod to the school’s location, we incorporated the postcode 3724 into the design. During the installation process, we engaged in lively discussions about computer games with the pupils. Many of them were intrigued by the older games featured in the mosaic and took the initiative to explore these classics online at home.
The project served as a bridge between generations, sparking curiosity about the evolution of computer games among the young learners at Lunde Primary School.
THE GAMES
There are mixed elements from older and (at the time) contemporary computer and arcade games in the work “Boss”.
The top line with the score of 3724 points and one and a half lives left, has typography picked up from the classic Mario game on Gameboy.
The post apocalyptic desert scene underneath the name of the primary school “Lunde” is a from one of our favourite games on the Commodore 64: “Attack of the Mutant Camels”.
The mutant camels are routed from mirror-acrylic glass. This makes the camels change colours when you move past them, mimicking the psychedelic flashing colours from the game.
The underground scene is inspired from the game “Boulder Dash” with the main character Rockford visible next to the Mario coins. Rockford has upgraded his standar pickaxe to a diamond axe from Minecraft.
An unidentified coloured blob floats in a cavern on the left side of the mosaic. White acrylic glass frames the two scenes and transforms the mosaic into a Boss-level character with glowing Mario coins for eyes (staring at Rockford), lava for mouth, two long arms, a dangling penis and shoes with tennis socks (Sponge Bob).
