If you’re usually the first to notice new trends floating around the Internet, keep an eye out for “meme graffiti”, a modern day multi-media art concept viewed through scanning a unique QR code.
The concept may sound strange, but it’s actually pretty simple and carries a meaningful message. Christian Corcoran, who started this project, is a writer and full-time student at the University of Iowa’s Creative Writing program. Corcoran says he came up with the idea when learning more about street art, stating Shepard Fairey, founder of OBEY Clothing, as his main inspiration. According to Fairey, the power of anything comes largely from its prevalence, meaning that the more people see something, the more willing they are to assume its importance. Corcoran says that this is exactly what “meme graffiti” represents. Although the project started as stickers, which are still in circulation, Corcoran decided to shift some focus to the digital spectrum for easier access and availability.
In 2015, government research completed by Pew Research Center showed that only 8% of American adults did not carry a cell phone. A mere eight years after Apple’s first iPhone release, smartphone usage was up to 67%. But the influence of digital devices doesn’t end there. Around 60% of adults admitted to using smartphone applications multiple times in a day, while 27% admitted to continuous use.
There is no doubt that smartphones have evolved to be an immediate access point for any and all information. As we continue to be bombarded with information constantly throughout the day, we find ourselves developing a connection to bits and pieces dominating the web. When that information is spread quickly over time, it qualifies as a meme.
Similar to those memes you may have been seeing for years, Christian’s current project is projected in a way that is easy for digital consumers to experience. By scanning the QR code with any of the free apps available, you are immediately immersed into a piece of art taking place not only in the physical world but in the digital one. According to Corcoran, the project makes the viewer think about “the thing in your hands that you don’t even notice is there anymore,” allowing mindfulness and memes to come together in one of the most unique concepts of the digital age.
To check out the art that started it all, scan the QR code here:
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