FF Gaiden

Larry Achiampong & David Blandy Collaboration, 2016 - 17

FF Gaiden is a series of video works created from a process of collaboration between Larry Achiampong and David Blandy with contributions from the wider community. Together, they have used the virtual space of Grand Theft Auto 5 to explore ideas around the writings of Frantz Fanon, whilst also asking what it means to be human in this supposed moment of globalisation. 

‘Gaiden’ (a term synonymous with Japanese anime and videogame culture meaning 'sidestory') expands the artists' Finding Fanon series which gives creative agency  to wider communities and community groups. Across these projects they have worked with veterans & prisoners at FACT, Liverpool; paperless migrants at the International Artist's Residency PRAKSIS, Oslo; a female refugee group at New Art Exchange, Nottingham; and young people at Tyneside Gallery, Newcastle. The project allowed the various groups to direct the way in which their stories were shared between the digital realm and ‘IRL’ (In Real Life). 

FF Gaiden has been supported by Tyneside Cinema, Arts Council England, FACT, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, New Art Exchange & Praksis

© Larry Achiampong & David Blandy