A game featuring works of art

Works of art should not just be admired on museum walls or perhaps in a book, you should also be able to enjoy art as part of a game. This is the conclusion drawn by the management at the Fondation Beyeler in Basel. Together with gaming specialists, they have developed a card game called “Speed Art”.

In playing the game the famous masterpieces from the Fondation’s collection can and indeed have to be looked at and analysed with less reverence. For example, players have to spot similarities in works by Van Gogh and Cézanne. Or they have to identify motifs and styles in individual pieces and relate them to other works as quickly as possible. The ability to look closely and powers of recognition are two key skills. The winner is not necessarily the player who knows and understands most about art. The game requires a keen eye and deft hand. It poses a real challenge for children aged eight and over as well as adults.

“Speed Art” is available from the Fondation Beyeler’s Art Shop both in the museum and online. Price: CHF 16.90 Instructions and documents available in German, French, Italian and English. www.shop.fondationbeyeler.ch