MECHANICAL GAMES \ xtine burroughs (2010)

Mechanical Games invited participants to create and contribute a thirty-second film of their selves performing one of five sports: weight lifting, swimming, hockey, fencing, or volleyball. The films were funny, clever or even literal interpretations of sporting events to be put to the vote for a gold medal.

mechanicalgames.co.uk hosts daily polls where viewers vote on YouTube videos of athletic event performances made by members of the community in Manchester, UK and workers from the Amazon.com Mechanical Turk website. Winners of each poll receive a bonus payment through the Mturk.com website or a gold medal at the AND festival awards ceremony.

The Mechanical Games challenge took over Manchester, in care homes, leisure centres and church halls. All participants came together to celebrate in this unique ceremony; with its very own medal ceremony voted by the public.

This project was funded by The National Lottery through Big Lottery Fund.