Serpentine Galleries in London is pushing the boundaries of traditional gallery experiences with its latest exhibition, THE DELUSION by artist Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley. Opening November 2025 at Serpentine North, this new-media art show merges interactive game design, live performance, and artistic narrative to explore themes of identity, memory, and technology. This exhibition marks a unique intersection between the worlds of art and video games, challenging the conventional understanding of what a gallery experience can be.
Blurring the Lines Between Game Architecture and Art
At its core, THE DELUSION is an immersive experience that takes place within a hybrid environment where video game mechanics meet live, performative art. Brathwaite-Shirley has created a world that functions like a video game, where viewers are not just passive observers but active participants. They navigate through this world, interacting with its elements in a way that directly influences their experience. The exhibition explores the intersection of art, technology, and storytelling, making it a must-see for those interested in the future of interactive media.
By fusing game architecture with traditional performance art, Brathwaite-Shirley challenges the way we think about immersion and audience interaction. It’s not merely about viewing art from a distance; it’s about becoming part of the artwork itself. Through digital environments, viewers engage in a sensory experience that echoes the power of video games to immerse players in new worlds—except here, the world is a visual, emotional, and philosophical exploration of personal and collective identity.
The Role of Identity in THE DELUSION
One of the most compelling elements of Brathwaite-Shirley’s work is her focus on identity, particularly how it is shaped and altered in digital spaces. THE DELUSION creates a dynamic environment where identity is fluid, allowing viewers to question their own roles within the narrative. This focus on digital spaces as places of transformation and self-exploration is particularly relevant in today’s world, where online personas can often become more important than physical ones.
Brathwaite-Shirley’s work speaks to the increasing integration of virtual worlds into our daily lives, from social media to online gaming. The exhibition uses these digital landscapes to delve into the psychological impact of technology on our sense of self. As visitors move through the installation, they are encouraged to reflect on how their own identities might be shaped, reshaped, or manipulated in virtual realms.
A New Era for Interactive Art
The blending of new-media art with interactive gaming elements is not a new concept, but THE DELUSION takes it to a new level of sophistication and engagement. Brathwaite-Shirley’s use of performance art alongside game mechanics creates a deeply layered experience that goes beyond traditional interactive installations. In this world, the boundaries between creator and participant blur, leaving visitors with an experience that is uniquely their own.
This exhibition highlights a growing trend in the art world: the increasing use of technology not just as a tool for creation, but as an integral part of the artistic experience itself. With artists like Brathwaite-Shirley pushing the envelope, it’s clear that the future of art will be shaped by emerging technologies and the ways in which they allow creators to build complex, multi-dimensional worlds. THE DELUSION is a prime example of how artists can use technology to bring their visions to life in entirely new and exciting ways.
A Global Conversation on Technology and Art
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While THE DELUSION takes a highly specific look at identity within digital spaces, its implications are far-reaching. In an era where much of our communication, entertainment, and even self-expression occur through digital platforms, this exhibition prompts important questions about how technology is transforming our understanding of identity and the self. Brathwaite-Shirley’s work serves as a cultural touchstone, urging visitors to reconsider how they interact with technology and how it shapes their lives.
This exhibition is also part of a larger conversation in the art world about the role of digital technology in creative expression. Artists are increasingly turning to new media as a means of engaging with audiences in innovative ways. Whether through video games, augmented reality, or virtual environments, the line between technology and art continues to dissolve, creating new possibilities for both creators and viewers alike.
The Future of Immersive Art
The success of THE DELUSION lies in its ability to merge different worlds: that of the gallery and that of the digital universe. It challenges the notion that art must be experienced in a fixed, passive way and instead encourages an active, engaging approach. By placing the audience at the center of the narrative, Brathwaite-Shirley redefines the role of the viewer in contemporary art.
As immersive art experiences continue to gain traction, exhibitions like THE DELUSION represent the future of the genre. Art is no longer something that is simply displayed for contemplation; it is something to be experienced, interacted with, and lived. This shift in how art is created and consumed marks a turning point in the evolution of the art world, where the boundaries between artist and audience continue to fade.
THE DELUSION is a compelling invitation to explore the future of art in the digital age. As technology continues to evolve, so too will the ways in which artists create and how we experience their work. Serpentine Galleries has once again proven that the intersection of art and technology is not just a passing trend, but the beginning of a new era in creative expression.
