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CHEST SIMULATOR

GameBodies 2

Teddy Max Pozo

2025

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CHEST SIMULATOR (2025) is a ceramic figural arcade machine installation with an original video game and instruction booklet/zine.

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Coils of “High Temp Wire” (HTW) are fired within the sculpture, allowing for electrically conductive portions within the clay, similar to conductive thread for fabrics or copper tape.

The HTW alloy is likely similar to that used in the wires of electric kilns (Kanthal or Tungsten)

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The game uses familiar tools from queer and trans game design:

  • Makey Makey
  • Bitsy game maker
  • Electric Zine Maker (left)

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One inspiration was empathy machine, in which mattie brice used Makey Makey and conductive materials to turn her own body into a video game controller to play her game mainichi.

I created a body to interact with that is not my own, but tells a story about my body.

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Players relate their bodies to the game’s body, using different postures and movements depending on their own proportions and movement style.

Players frequently come to me at the beginning and end for instruction, and to debrief.

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Process:

  • 2022-23: Sculpture created at The Arts Center of the Central Region in Troy, NY
  • Summer 23: ~top surgery~ 🗡️🗡️
  • Fall 23: submitted documentation of work in progress to QGJam
  • Spring 24: “Eulogy for Old Friends” poem presented at Communion: Queer & Trans Memorial and Mourning, season 3
  • Winter 24-25: Game built using Bitsy Game Maker
  • February 25: installation as part of Silver Plated Memories show by Cognitive Dissonance Collective at MorYork in LA

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Left: as played by Blue Reinhard (they/them)

play the bitsy game online

Password: 80085