Serenade of the Silent

Dila Sökmen
Serenade of the Silent
HD Video, Color/Sound, Loop
Video
2023

Serenade of the Silent presents a series of video game scenes in which the artist delves into the enigmatic presence of NPCs (Non-playable characters), elevating them to the forefront as the central subjects and protagonists of her work.

Within the realm of endless possibilities given by a video game, the artist consciously alters the perspective through which narratives are typically observed. Departing from the conventional focus on the main character and the game’s plot, she redirects the virtual cameras and explores the scenes with a distinct approach. By observing secondary characters from a distance and capturing their moments away from the main character’s influence or the game’s algorithmic activations, she investigates their behaviours and actions. In this exploration, a blurred line emerges between heroes and villains, immersing the audience in an ever-evolving duality of our roles.

Serenade of the Silent poses questions about the existence and experiences of NPC characters when they are not directly tied to the main storyline. Do they persist, and if so, how do they navigate and interact within the vast landscape of the game? This work unveils these vital yet often overlooked presences. These NPCs, crucial for the game’s progression, are elevated to a new level of prominence, serving as compelling protagonists who convey poetic, suspended, and at times paradoxical scenes and landscapes. They embody the delicate interplay between presence and absence, inviting contemplation on the significance of these marginalized characters and their existence within the virtual realm.