MEME TACTICS
How Artists Innovate Media to Make Underheard Voices Go Viral

Internet memes, once thought to be fun, silly and casual, are increasingly part of a sophisticated communications strategy. While memes can and do wreak havoc in our societies, notably our electoral processes, we invite you to consider a broader definition of memetic expression that gives each person’s voice equal chance to be heard. Here, artists find creative ways to amplify, build on, and disseminate messages from underheard social movements.

Amy Suo Wu, the Dalit Panther Archive, Elyla Sinvergüenza, and Sponge Gourd Collective, craft ways to negotiate power and assert presence by defying dominant media narratives in China, India, Nicaragua, and beyond. The projects emerged independently and collaboratively across continents, languages and within the socio-political restrictions placed on media by governments. Despite the constraints, these artists came up with brilliant tactics to make underheard voices “go viral."

Join us for an opening reception where Amy Suo Wu will re-enact her artist talk, The Choice Of A Translator, followed by a conversation with co-curators An Xiao Mina, Josue Chavez, Kira Simon-Kennedy, and Ellery Biddle, journalist, researcher and expert on technology as it affects people’s lives and rights.