eri king’s Scripted Spaces reimagines the intricate visual and psychological landscapes of Las Vegas casinos, layering Renaissance and Neoclassical architecture with the disorienting aesthetics of contemporary gaming environments. These paintings examine how scripted spaces—whether casinos, malls, churches, theme parks, or computer games—operate as controlled environments that give the illusion of free will while subtly guiding movement and perception. By responding to each viewer’s whims yet predetermining every step, these spaces create a gentle repression disguised as choice.
King’s process merges traditional painting techniques integrating Renaissance religious and mythological figures—such as Cupid—into casino-inspired compositions. As a symbol of manipulated desire and free will, Cupid’s presence mirrors the psychological mechanics of these spaces, where attraction, impulse, and surrender are carefully engineered. By embedding these classical figures within hyper-commercialized, algorithmic landscapes, King reveals the intersections of mythology, capitalism, and power.
The exhibition also draws on principles of game theory, exposing how casinos and other scripted environments employ strategic design to influence decision-making. Patterns, spatial layouts, and visual cues function as incentives and deterrents, subtly directing behavior while reinforcing the illusion of autonomy. Just as in a digital clickthrough or physical walkthrough, the viewer is immersed in a system where every interaction has been anticipated, emphasizing the tension between agency and control.
Through these immersive compositions, Scripted Spaces invites viewers to reconsider how meaning, desire, and agency are constructed within environments designed for consumption and spectacle. King’s work transforms these overlooked spaces into sites of disruption and reconsideration, exposing the psychological mechanisms that shape our navigation of both physical and virtual worlds.
