Super Mario Clouds by Cory Arcangel

In a masterpiece of video game art, Cory Arcangel deconstructs a familiar cultural artifact, reducing the iconic Super Mario Brothers game to its ethereal background only. By hacking into the game’s original 1985 cartridge, Arcangel eliminated all elements except for the clouds, transforming a bustling digital landscape filled with danger and user interaction into a minimalist meditation. As a classically trained musician, the piece reflects Arcangel’s deep engagement with his tools—here, the computer and game console—mirroring his belief in fully mastering technology to craft art. Further, the work challenges the viewer to find meaning in reduction but also lack of control. A user is in full control of a video game, yet Arcangel invites us to relinquish this need. The piece also encourages an examination of our rapid technological churn and reminds us that a physical, endlessly generative sky exists as well. The piece is a mocking cry to touch grass or maybe air. It rightly positions Arcangel’s practice in rarified air at the intersection of nostalgia, technical skill and conceptual rigor.