Memes as Art and Political Tools: Brazilian Researchers and Artists Debate Digital Culture
Giselle Beiguelman links the term 'meme' to Richard Dawkins's 1976 idea of a cultural unit that replicates. In the 2000s, memes transformed by merging text with images, proliferating through social media into realms like politics and advertising. The Brazilian Instagram account New Memeseum asserts that memes can foster counter-hegemonic stories, referencing Karl Ove Knausgård. Cem A. (@freeze_magazine) perceives memes as vehicles for progressive thought but cautions against their potential exploitation by the art market. Hilde Lynn Helphenstein intends to monetize her creation, Jerry Gogosian. New Memeseum raises concerns about the effects of institutionalizing memes on both creators and institutions, while Cem A. critiques conservative choices in art media, noting the 2020 'Arte em Campo' exhibition. The connection between memes and 1960s/70s conceptualism is explored, indicating that discussions on memes in art are just beginning.
Key facts
- The term 'meme' was coined by biologist Richard Dawkins in 1976.
- Memes combine text and image to produce a third sense, distinct from illustration or explanation.
- The Brazilian profile New Memeseum argues memes create counter-hegemonic narratives through fiction.
- Cem A. (@freeze_magazine) warns memes risk being absorbed and commercialized by the art market.
- Hilde Lynn Helphenstein created the virtual character Jerry Gogosian, alluding to Jerry Saltz and Larry Gagosian.
- New Memeseum observes institutions seek online engagement, with social media followers affecting sponsorship.
- Cem A. criticizes the 'Arte em Campo' exhibition (2020) for being reported with 'neutrality of a detergent.'
- Debates continue on whether memes are art, with links to 1960s/70s conceptualism.
Entities
Artists
- Giselle Beiguelman
- Richard Dawkins
- Hito Steyerl
- Karl Ove Knausgård
- Cem A.
- Hilde Lynn Helphenstein
- Jerry Saltz
- Larry Gagosian
- Pollyana Quintella
- Virginia Woolf
Institutions
- University of São Paulo
- New Memeseum
- Artnet
- Arte em Campo
Locations
- Brazil
- São Paulo
- Salvador