Artists Now! Guest Lecture Series: Paolo Pedercini

July 21, 2026 - 15:59

Paolo Pedercini, the Italian game designer behind the pseudonym Molleindustria, will deliver a talk as part of the Artists Now! Guest Lecture Series. Pedercini is best known for creating free Flash videogames that challenge mainstream industry norms by focusing on socio-political themes. His work tackles topics like labor market flexibility, queer theory, and corporate ethics, often presented in direct opposition to commercial gaming trends.

Among his notable titles are Queer Power, Faith Fighter, and the McDonald's Video Game, a satirical simulation of the fast-food giant's supply chain. Pedercini releases most of his games as freeware under a Creative Commons Non-Commercial license, making them widely accessible. His approach blends game mechanics with critical commentary, turning interactive play into a tool for political reflection. The lecture will explore how video games can serve as a medium for social critique and how Pedercini's work fits into the broader landscape of activist art.