written by art historian & curator Mihaela Manolache
In the sprawling expanse of the digital realm, where communication unfolds in pixels and bytes, memes and GIFs emerge as vibrant threads of online humour. These visual expressions, akin to modern-day hieroglyphics, transcend linguistic barriers, weaving together a mosaic of laughter and levity that resonates across cyberspace.
Memes, those whimsical amalgamations of images and text, serve as the cornerstone of internet humour. From the iconic ”Grumpy Cat” to the ubiquitous ”Distracted Boyfriend”, memes encapsulate the zeitgeist of our digital age, distilling complex emotions and societal observations into bite-sized morsels of amusement. With their ability to evolve and adapt at breakneck speed, memes capture the fleeting moments of pop culture, transforming them into timeless symbols of online hilarity. Complementing the static charm of memes are GIFs — those dynamic snippets of animation that speak volumes without uttering a single word. Whether it’s a celebratory dance from a favourite TV show or a looped clip of a cat’s comedic antics, GIFs possess an unparalleled capacity to convey meaning in the blink of an eye.
Let’s explore the impact of these digital artefacts on our daily experience and enjoy the laughter that binds us together in the vast expanse of the digital age.
