Digital graphic with seven iterations of Super Mario on a white background. From left to right, the low-pixeled character becomes shaper with each iteration. The first graphic is blocky, with limited colors, hands swing on the side with one leg lifted from the ground. Mario is wearing red, with a red hat. The next rendition is more detailed with a slight variation in colors. Red clothing becomes more maroon, skin details more orange, other parts in a greenish hue. The 3rd graphic has a defined outline in black - character still wearing red clothing but now with a blue overall over it. Facing forward, the 4th graphic details the character’s face, hat, and clothing. There are more details but the lines are still defined by large pixels. In this iteration, Mario’s mustache becomes more apparent. This is followed by a sharper toon-like image with finer details. Some differences include: hat with the letter M, details on Mario's face, and shadowing on the clothing. The 6th Mario is the most elaborately detailed. His position changes from front-facing to one with his hands up as if in motion, pushing something. Changes include: stitches on the overall clothing, more shadows, and scuffed shoes. The last iteration is the sharpest with the highest pixel count. Its details, however, are rendered in a cleaner, much simpler way. The brim of the hat casts a shadow on his face. The overall stitching is removed and is now simply in a solid blue color with finer shadows. His position also changes - right arm outstretched, left arm bent and resting on his waist, and his left leg slightly forward.

See more objects with the tag digital print, video game, digital matter, pixels, evolution.

Object Timeline

	We acquired this object.
2015	Work on this object began.
2017	We photographed this object. We exhibited this object.
2024	You found it!

The evolution of Super Mario, 2015

It was designed by Joris Laarman Lab. It is dated 2015. Its medium is digital print on vinyl.

Super Mario Brothers was a popular video game that debuted in 1985. Mario was its protagonist, his blocky features limited by the large pixel size of early computer graphics. Over time, Mario's resolution became higher as pixel sizes became smaller, until Mario looked less blocky and more realistic, just like the tables behind you.

Video, Digital Matter installation at High Museum of Art, Atlanta

Video, Digital Matter installation at High Museum of Art, Atlanta
video.
Courtesy of Groninger Museum, the Netherlands.
83.2016.5a

Here we have a metal gray chair. In the frame and almost through the whole chair, it has intricately repeated geometric, diamond-shaped cut-outs through the back, seat, and the legs, making the chair open and nearly see-through. The cuts on the legs and the bottom of the chair back go from small to large, which makes these areas have more of a gradient effect Its four legs are attached by curved arches that create triangular openings between the legs. Its back is rectangular with curved corners and tapers inward toward the seat where the gradient is most prominent. Along the seat is a rounded metal edge.

Chair, Aluminum Gradient
laser-sintered aluminum.
Courtesy of Joris Laarman Lab.
84.2016.3

Here we have a monochrome rose gold metal chair made of intricate and repeating elements. It has four legs supporting the seat and back with numerous branch-like supports that resemble trees. The supports vary in thickness and number from each leg, resulting in supports being attached to various areas of the seat bottom. The seat and back are one long curved piece made of small, repeating ringlets.

Chair, Adaptation
copper, thermoplastic polyurethane (tpu).
Courtesy of Joris Laarman Lab.
84.2016.4

Our curators have highlighted 3 objects that are related to this one.

Drawing, Microstructures 1, 2013
digital print.
Courtesy of Groninger Museum, the Netherlands.
83.2016.6

Three identical tables uniquely composed of small 3mm magnetic cubes. The tables are on a white background, arranged diagonally, one in front of the other on a white background. Its medium is a magnet, a nickel-plated neodymium voxel in a 3mm measurement. The magnetic cubes put together make a surface that’s full of edges and small corners. The tables are formed by a similar iteration as the “Kilovoxel Table” and “Megavoxel Table”; but, instead of 10mm cubes and 5mm cubes, 3mm cubes are used creating the most resolved pixaleted look among three. The table has a flat top with legs waving towards the center. It has a base connecting all four. Details include, a duck in the center of the base, clouds in the center of the edge of the table, and flowers surrounding the corners of the legs and base, all assembled using the same material - all details in the pixelated look.

Table, Gigavoxel, Digital Matter
nickel-plated neodymium voxels (3mm).
Courtesy of Groninger Museum, the Netherlands.
83.2016.3a,b

Video, Scientific inspiration for Digital Matter

Video, Scientific inspiration for Digital Matter
video.
Courtesy of Groninger Museum, the Netherlands.
83.2016.4a

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Joris Laarman Lab: Design in the Digital Age.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2FYCqZ/
Accession Number s-e-2298
Object ID 1108748937