“An Iconic Turn of Events” is an ongoing research project and lecture series by Charlotte Rohde and Levi van Gelder. We investigate the semiotics of memes and the stylistic iconography in contemporary digital aesthetics and how we develop a common sense of “visual literacy” through consuming, sensing, and mimicing these media. We want to critically yet playfully reflect on the entropy of digital culture, speculate about tools to navigate the abundance of information online and find ways to absorb, reassemble and redistribute meaning as an artist as much as a consumer. How can (queer) practices of reclamation exist within the restrictions of digital platforms? Can we even speak about authenticity in digital spaces? By applying media theory, philosophy and design theory to exemplary images online, we want to understand how visual digital culture is formed, what it tells about “us” and how it is played back to us.We are assembling a collection of symbols, representations and sensibilities that acknowledge the redundancy of authenticity in contemporary meme culture and yet are also able to enhance a sense of proficiency in employing these symbols.

Charlotte Rohde (*1992) is a typographer and artist based in Amsterdam. Her work explores written and designed language as a tool of dealing with hyperfemininity, pop culture and (self-)control. She is currently the Guest Professor for typography and type design at Bauhaus Universität Weimar.

Levi van Gelder (*1995) is driven by visual storytelling, artistic research and pedagogic collaboration. By means of performative research, van Gelder sketches out a realm that ranges from provocative tropes within pop culture to history formation.

Levi and Charlotte are both Leos and met during their studies at the Sandberg Instituut in Amsterdam.

The event is part of the worskshop „Memes — Affekte — Interventionen“.