There are a lot of places and things in the world that still have a drastic imbalance of gender equality and representation. This includes politics, the pay gap and — arguably the most heinous and undeserved — the world of video games. Despite the fact that the vast majority of young girls grew up alongside iconic games like The Sims, Animal Crossing, Minecraft and heaps more, the activity itself is still primarily seen as a fixture of boyhood only. 

We know that is complete BS (in fact, data shows that the gap between male and female gamers is almost neck-and-neck across similar age brackets), and we're happy to know that we're not the only ones who feel this way. Enter, Feminine Play. This ripper event is taking place from October 4th to the 18th at the Carlisle Arts Space in St. Kilda, Melbourne/Naarm, and explores the role video games play in girlhood, as well as highlighting a handful of titles that priotise femininity (made for people of all genders in mind). Peep everything you'll need to know about the event by hopping over here, and take a gander at our quick chat with the exhibition's curator, Stephanie Harkin, below. 

Why did you create this exhibition? I organised this exhibition to share my research on feminine games and play cultures. I want to uplift and celebrate the talent and creativity of the local indie games and spread awareness that games can be — and already are — artistically and personally expressive, quirky and politically-charged.

Even though it can still be tough to be a woman playing an online game or working in the games industry, video games have come a long way in expanding beyond masculine themes of competition and violence. But there’s long been countercultural movements pushing the boundaries of game conventions, and using games to make meaningful statements about gender and identity.  

What do feminine games mean to you? Feminine games legitimise and value feminine stories, traditions, and perspectives. One of our exhibited games, Sashiko (by Helen Kwok) for instance, celebrates the Japanese tradition of repairing worn clothing with creative stitching. Players get to actually thread a needle through a custom circuit board made from fabric.

Feminine games also stretch our imagination of femininity. Femininity certainly overlaps with womanhood and girlhood but today it’s not so strictly tied to gender anymore. Games are a really neat avenue to invite everyone to enjoy the pleasures of femininity.

What do you hope people will get out of this exhibition? I hope people who might only be familiar with militarised commercial games will come to form an appreciation for the art and creativity of local indie games.

All of our exhibitors bring a unique interpretation of femininity into their craft — some celebrate its traditions, others subvert it in really exciting ways. I’d love for the exhibition to prompt a deeper dialogue about what femininity means today.

Feminine Play will be held from October 4 — 18 at the Carlisle Arts Space in St Kilda, Melbourne/Naarm at as part of Melbourne International Games Week 3 —13 October.