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i am 8-bit: Art Inspired by Classic Videogames of the '80s
Pac-Man. Frogger. Super Mario Bros. These classic videogames are burned into the collective consciousness of an entire generation, thanks to countless hours spent at pizza parlors and bowling alleys across the country. Now artists such as Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, and Ashley Wood put their memories to paper, canvas, and wood to create original works of art inspired by the art of the videogame. Chuck Klosterman shares his thoughts in his distinctively insightful and entertaining style in a foreword on how videogames created a new playground for artistic expression. With more than 100 thought-provoking, amusing, and simply fun pieces of original art, i am 8-bit is a pixilated stroll down memory lane.
156 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 20, 2010
Artists from all over the world come together to celebrate their love of videos games through original art inspired from video games classics from the arcade, Atari, and Nintendo heyday. Be it Donkey Kong, Mario Bros., Q-Bert, Zaxxon, or Dig Dug, video gamers everywhere unite and enjoy some great, fun art.
Jon M. Gibson helms this collection of art with a foreword by Chuck Klosterman. The art really does range all over in the collection and like much art, can be debated by critics and fans of the games portrayed. There is some great art in the book. There is also art that you look at and say.."Ugh". It mostly comes from games in the '80s and early '90s, so younger video game fans might not appreciate the vintage games cover in the book.
Art like the art found in I am 8-Bit sometimes can be a bit frustrating in that you think "why didn't I think of that". It would make some clever wall art for a modern home and would definitely be a talker if guests came over. Of course now if you attempt to recreate it, it would just be copying.
The editor Jon M. Gibson wanted to recreate the wonder of an arcade from the '80s and did a great job doing it. There are games you probably walked by in arcades hundreds of times but you forgot about, but they were important to someone. There are games you wish where in here (Kangaroo...come on I know it is a Donkey Kong rip-off but that game rocked), but they were omitted. Having released I am 8-Bit, it would be interesting to see a sequel or maybe even I am 16-Bit for children of the '90s. If you love art and video games this book is a must. Even if you don't, flip through for some creative works...you might not get everything, but it still can be appreciated.
Jon M. Gibson helms this collection of art with a foreword by Chuck Klosterman. The art really does range all over in the collection and like much art, can be debated by critics and fans of the games portrayed. There is some great art in the book. There is also art that you look at and say.."Ugh". It mostly comes from games in the '80s and early '90s, so younger video game fans might not appreciate the vintage games cover in the book.
Art like the art found in I am 8-Bit sometimes can be a bit frustrating in that you think "why didn't I think of that". It would make some clever wall art for a modern home and would definitely be a talker if guests came over. Of course now if you attempt to recreate it, it would just be copying.
The editor Jon M. Gibson wanted to recreate the wonder of an arcade from the '80s and did a great job doing it. There are games you probably walked by in arcades hundreds of times but you forgot about, but they were important to someone. There are games you wish where in here (Kangaroo...come on I know it is a Donkey Kong rip-off but that game rocked), but they were omitted. Having released I am 8-Bit, it would be interesting to see a sequel or maybe even I am 16-Bit for children of the '90s. If you love art and video games this book is a must. Even if you don't, flip through for some creative works...you might not get everything, but it still can be appreciated.
February 13, 2024
When I started rereading this art book, I didn’t realize that I Am 8 Bit was still around — and that it had become a somewhat major retro brand. From what I can tell, it all began here, with this art exhibit in 2005.
January 24, 2015
I love retro video games, especially from the 80's. This book is a collection of artwork made my fans of these said games. The artwork ranges from print work, to plush and many other types as well. There are a few provocative pieces, but the art is fun and enjoyable. It was a quick flip but a nostalgic one.
May 20, 2008
I can't entirely say that I've read this book cover to cover, but from leafing through it once at Books-a-Million, I became totally turned off by it. I don't like any of the images. I guess if you are into repulsive and offensive art, this book is for you, but definently not for me.
March 4, 2007
i have 3 pages in this book woo hoo.
July 8, 2008
An absolute must-have for fans of videogame history, or art in general. If you didn't see the actual art, this book is a good second chance.
October 24, 2008
Lots of interesting concepts and perceptions; a bit too heavy on the Nintendo side of things, however.
December 30, 2008
Yay, videogames! Some of the art is great, some of it is not so great (but who cares?), and some of it has become something of a genre on the Net. Fun.
April 5, 2009
This book was a wonderful amalgation of the nostalgia and awesomeness of 8-bit videogames paired with hip art.
May 17, 2009
wished there were some more modern games in here, but being from the 80's, this was an entertaining and unique art book.
December 5, 2010
A must for any classic gamer. Great styles of illustration by all different kinds of artists.
January 28, 2008
totally rad. a visual feast of bent and curved nintendo memories!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews