{"id":149,"date":"2026-04-16T00:05:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T00:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/game-of-democracy\/?page_id=149"},"modified":"2026-05-05T21:06:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T21:06:22","slug":"democratic-labyrinth","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/game-of-democracy\/democratic-labyrinth\/","title":{"rendered":"Collaboration Under Construction"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Collaboration Under Construction (2026)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jack Van der Reis
wood, acrylic, stainless steel, aluminum<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Concept<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In our current sociopolitical climate, our democratic systems must grapple with deepening partisan divides and a lack of communication. As individuals retreat into their own echochambers, a lack of mutual understanding takes hold. Collaboration Under Construction<\/strong> disrupts this pattern by transforming a recognizable childhood board game\u2014the Labyrinth\u2014into a “seductive frame” for civic engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By removing the traditional failure states (holes) and replacing them with a jarring “under construction” zone marked by black-and-yellow hazard tape, the piece mirrors the ongoing, imperfect work of democratic life. It is a physical manifestation of the friction between individual agency and the necessity of shared effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The board\u2019s divergent destinations, marked simply as “END?”<\/strong>, challenge the notion of a single, universally correct political outcome. Players must accept that in a functioning democracy, the goal is often ambiguous and requires constant negotiation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How it Works<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. The Choice:<\/strong> The controls are spaced so that a single user can feasibly reach both knobs to force their way through the maze alone (autocracy), but the ergonomics heavily incentivize inviting a partner to assist (democracy).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The Control:<\/strong> One participant controls the X-axis of the board, while the other controls the Y-axis. They cannot succeed without constant verbal and physical coordination.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. The Disruption:<\/strong> Participants must navigate a ball through a landscape that is partially obstructed and “under construction,” forcing them to adapt their strategy to systemic roadblocks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. The Destination:<\/strong> Success is reached when the ball settles in an “END?” receptacle. The participants are left to decide for themselves if the outcome was just or merely the result of a forced compromise.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    If the path to civic progress is perpetually “under construction,” is an awkward partnership more effective than a solitary forced effort? Will you be satisfied with your first END point? Find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Jack Van der Reis (b. 2004)<\/strong> is studying Engineering at ÎÞÓÇÊÓƵ and Public Policy at Claremont McKenna College. His work explores the intersection of systems engineering, modern art, and social engagement to foster more just civic processes.
    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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