“Influence” is a reflection on the often-used phrase ‘internet celebrity’ (also known as an ‘influencer’) or ‘Wang Hong exhibition’, all of which are phrases and concepts that have recently emerged in response to a rapidly changing technological landscape. While the notion of the ‘internet celebrity’ ( ‘Wang Hong’ in China) has been present at some level since the internet-boom years of the 1990s, an accepted definition is still unclear, and ever-evolving, due to its manifestation in many different forms, and involvement in a variety of fields.

“Influence” explores the concepts surrounding the ‘internet celebrity’ and ‘Wang Hong’ culture in three sections: Communication, Identification and Interpretation. By working with artists and the public, we hope to initiate a discussion regarding the aesthetic, ideological and experiential context of contemporary art in the current age. In the “Identification” section, Zhang Keke's video <The Internet Me> shows how internet impacts on the material world and her individual spirit world.

The Internet Me

Zhang Keke, who studied Fine Art at Chelsea College of Art in London, devoted herself to the Internet industry after returning to China. During the past four years in the Internet industry, Zhang Keke has had innumerable thoughts about the changes in her life and career.

In her work “The Internet Me”, she said "this work is about how the internet changes my life and career after four years' working experience in the Internet industry. The internet has had a great change to us, even changed the life planning and career direction of many young people." The young generation who want to do this job finds that this is not as simple as they imagined. Does the public know their real names? Does the public really care about the monologue inside celebrity? Can netizens create real value? In this video work, Zhang Keke not only talks about the views on these questions but also expresses the future value and sense of mission of celebrity. These people like a rope between mediocrity and famous, a symbol representing the public. There are numerous overnight successes happened in the young generation. Everyone wants to be the one who seems to reach the peak of the human being without suffering anything, but does it really get rid out of the path-dependence method?

BACA Art Centre | Nook Gallery

BACA Art Centre | Nook Gallery is a new addition to the Beijing art scene, and is located within the second ring road of Beijing, near Yonghe Temple. The Centre is a unique platform to promote emerging contemporary artists, as well as being an experimental space for exhibition, performance and film. BACA Art Centre | Nook Gallery also holds art workshops and short courses, taught in English by Art and Design professionals and suitable for all ages.

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Artist Talk: The Internet Me

Artist: Zhang Keke

Time: 14:00-16:00, Sunday, 22nd September 2019

Place: BACA Art Centre, Unit 125, Level One, Yonghe Tower B, Beijing