SJCPL presents The Arcade at the End of the Universe, the latest smART box installation. smART box is an interactive public exhibit space on the first floor of the Main Library in downtown South Bend. The pop up arcade features 6 vintage games on loan from collector Andy Schmidt. The games are available through April and are free for the public to use—no quarters required.
The classic arcade games featured in this exhibit are Ms. Pac-Man, Space Invaders Deluxe, Asteroids Deluxe, Gyruss, Space Duel, and Millipede. As with all smART box installations, this exhibit is interactive. People are encouraged to come to the Main Library and play. The installation is part of SJCPL’s One Book, One Michiana, a month-long, community-wide celebration of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
The theme for this installation sprang from Andy Schmidt’s passion for collecting vintage arcade games. According to Andy, “These are 6 machines that I remember playing as a kid and remember being really entranced by, so I deliberately sought out each of these games so I can not only enjoy them for myself but fix them up for others to enjoy.”
Many people maintain collections of objects, ranging from postcards and art to celebrity memorabilia and old technology. Collecting is a way to express interest in a topic and can be an important social network that brings people together. The questions posed by The Arcade at the End of the Universe are: What do you collect? What inspires your passion?
About smART box
smART box is the Main Library’s interactive public space. It is just the place to unleash your creativity and explore your imagination. A journey into smART box is an ever-changing sensory experience with light, music, textures, and color. Each exhibit—lasting 30 to 90 days—is crafted by library staff to inspire. smART box is open normal library hours except during the installation of a new exhibit. smART box’s location near the entrance of the Main Library on the ground floor makes it easily accessible to all.
News Media Contact: Jennifer Henecke, Communications Specialist, j.henecke@sjcpl.org 574-235-4190
