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Memetics

The term ‘meme’ was introduced in 1976 by British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins. He conceived it as the cultural parallel to biological genes, in control of its own reproduction. What followed was the emergence of ‘memetics’ as the study of culture and information. This sculpture is an archetype and an embodiment of cultural evolution. The juxtaposition of Darwin’s head on the body of a chimpanzee along with the ‘Thug Life’ glasses creates an imagery that is not confined to the physicality or materiality of the sculpture. It goes beyond and highlights the constant change in the landscape of human thinking, ideas exchange and the discovery of idiosyncratic commonalities across geographies. From the invention of fire to ‘memes’, it is a testament to human ingenuity and to ‘the internet state of mind’ - a true reflection of our times.