Meme World and AI
Ben Schreckinger’s article “World War Meme” and the “Make Me Feel Mighty Real: Drag/Tech and the Queer Avatar” exhibition at the Honor Fraser Gallery intersect in their exploration of the influence of digital culture in shaping public perception and identity. Schreckinger’s piece in Politico Magazine provides an in-depth analysis of how memes, originating from online forums like 4Chan and Reddit, have evolved into powerful tools of political expression. These memes, often anonymous creations, have significantly influenced political dialogues, particularly during the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, showcasing their ability to mold public opinion and even sway political outcomes.
The journey of these internet memes from niche online communities to mainstream social media platforms highlights the dynamic and unpredictable nature of internet culture. The Great Meme War, as it’s called in the article, illustrates a shift in political campaigning and activism, where traditional methods are supplemented by the strategic use of viral internet memes. This phenomenon reflects the changing landscape of political communication in the digital age, emphasizing viral appeal over conventional persuasion techniques.
In a parallel exploration of digital culture’s impact, the exhibition at Honor Fraser Gallery presents a vivid depiction of the intersection between AI, parafiction, and contemporary art. The exhibition, featuring over 40 artists, explores the role of avatars in queer creative practices, blending technology with drag culture. It emphasizes the transformative power of technology in redefining identities and realities, challenging conventional notions of gender, sex, and human subjectivity. The exhibition merges the formal gallery space with the aesthetics of queer nightclubs and virtual environments, creating a living archive that emphasizes the resilience and influence of queer artists and icons. I’d like to point out that this is also setting a large precedent in AI in its utilization of it. AI is now a tool, just like our brains which are a collective consciousness of everything we have experienced so far.
Both the article and the exhibition underscore the significant role of digital technology in crafting narratives and expressions that transcend traditional boundaries. In the political sphere, memes act as potent tools for shaping public discourse, while in the realm of contemporary art, technology is used to explore and express complex identities. They both foster a dialogue between the virtual and the real, highlighting how digital culture has become a crucial medium for communication, expression, and activism.
In summary, the relationship between digital culture, as manifested in internet memes and AI-driven art, is reshaping the way we perceive and interact with the world. These digital phenomena not only influence how narratives are constructed and disseminated in the public sphere but also how identities and realities are conceptualized and represented in the arts. The convergence of these two realms underscores the pervasive and transformative impact of digital technologies in contemporary society.
