A rhetorical delusion or heartfelt self-affirmation, “Welcome >_< Take a Seat Wherever (cringevibing on a downward spiral)” explores the emotive language of Gen Z as well as implications of being terminally online in a confusing, almost pathologized, schizophrenic state. 

Taking humour as a point of departure, the exhibition looks into the why’s and how’s of memetic irony: why do these devices share an affinity among Gen Z, and how are these memes—in Dawkins’ terms and in a contemporary vernacular—disseminated? In the era where ironic expression is nearly indistinguishable from sincere belief, meme makers conflate ‘based’ with ‘cringe’, readers take comedic scripts as half-truths. The virtual versus actual has become obsolete. So have art and memes that slowly morph into one another.

Participating Artists:  Miri, Jenn, Noura Tafeche, Janice Kei, Ringo Lo, Brandon Brandy, Rachel Jackson, E8mkboy, Cas Wong

Curated by: 策展人 Angela Liu 廖翊名, Institution of Niche. Co-supported by HART and Tomorrow Maybe, Eaton HK.

Gallery Address: 4/F Eaton HK, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan