Designing Human-Generated Gameplay for the Playbox™️ v.0.1

Mar 17 — 31, 2026
Field:

Workshop

 Location:

Grand Luxe Hall, Western Front

 Time:

6:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Description:

Designing Human-Generated Gameplay for the Playbox™️ v.0.1 was a series of workshops led by Torien Cafferata and A of Playbox Studios that engaged play, labour, madness, and control. Working together, participants engaged in a study of input-output game poetics, or “controllography,” taking turns as designers and human avatars. Using everyday materials, the group created unique controllers, game mechanics, and avatar identities within a live-action, human-generated game system. These elements formed conditions for a series of simple mini-games exploring the poetics of delegated experience.

The workshop culminated in an open rehearsal on Apr 4, 2026, in which participants presented their outcomes in the Grand Luxe Hall.

Artists Torien Cafferata and Khalil Alomar occupy the center of the play space while four participants observe from behind a table filled with playbox materials such as pens, tape, a mini speaker, and cardboard boxes. Khalil wears a yellow hoodie, blue pants, and a helmet with a camera mounted before his eyes. On the projection screen behind them, a live image of Khalil’s mouth and nose is displayed. Torien, dressed in black pants and a black shirt, handles a cellphone in each hand.
Workshop leader Torien Cafferata, dressed in black, interacts with a playbox made of cardboard, green tape, and blue tape, resting on top of a wooden plinth. At the back of the space, six workshop participants talk among themselves while building their own playboxes. The cohort is divided into three groups, all appearing curious about their creations. A long plastic table is filled with playbox materials such as tape, pens, paper, and white Styrofoam balls.
Artists Khalil Alomar and Rafael Zen build their playbox, assembling a cardboard box joined with green tape, a black cycling helmet, and a cellphone. Both appear focused on the task, while Rafael writes on a sheet of paper with a black Sharpie. In the background, three workshop participants are slightly out of focus as they build their own playboxes using colored paper, scissors, and rainbow pompoms. The group looks deeply concentrated on the process.
Artists Rafael Zen and Khalil Alomar interact with their playbox by inserting their hands into a cardboard box assembled with green tape. Rafael, wearing a light blue sweater and a black cap, sits in front of a computer displaying an audio interface and a small orange speaker. Khalil stands beside him wearing a yellow hoodie and a helmet with a camera mounted before his eyes. On the projection screen behind them, a live feed of Khalil’s mouth and nose is displayed.
Artists Zion Wang, Haruki Takeuchi, and Neal Moignard gather around a long plastic table while working on their playbox. Zion wears a grey coat and black beret, holding a large sheet of white paper. Haruki, dressed in a dark grey sweater, cuts a straw with a pair of scissors. Neal leans over the table, examining a piece of fluffy white fabric. Behind them, the cohort focuses on building their own playboxes.
Artists Torien Cafferata and Manuel Muñoz lean over a table while working on a playbox. Torien, dressed in black, collects objects such as tape, a cellphone, and pencils from a large plastic table. Manuel holds a playbox made of cardboard and green tape. Behind them, artist Angelo Moroni holds a long metal stick with a cardboard bird that floats.
Artists Torien Cafferata and Manuel Muñoz discuss a component of Manuel’s playbox, a long metal stick that will support a cardboard bird. Torien, dressed in black, holds a game cartridge. Manuel wears a blue shirt and a khaki cap, holding the metal stick. Behind them, a whiteboard presents ideas written in orange Sharpie. In front of the duo, slightly out of focus, artist Rafael Zen sits at a plastic table, working with sonic software on their laptop.
Artist Angelo Moroni wears a black sweater while holding a cell phone in front of his eyes with one hand and a metal stick in the other. From the cell phone’s cables, a green game cartridge is connected. In front of him, artist Manuel Muñoz observes the scene wearing a blue shirt and a khaki cap. They share the play space while troubleshooting their playbox.

Related Events

Captions:

Western Front is a non-profit artist-run centre in Vancouver.

We acknowledge the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations as traditional owners of the land upon which Western Front stands.

We use cookies on our website. Some are essential, while others help us to improve this website and your experience. Change your preferences any time via Cookie Settings or see our Privacy Policy for more information.
or
  • Essential: Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the website to function properly.
  • External Media (optional): Content from external video platforms and social media platforms is blocked by default. If these cookies are accepted, access to this content no longer requires manual consent.
  • Analytics: These cookies collect information anonymously to help us understand how our visitors use our website. We use Matomo and do not give analytic data to third party services.