Critical Cuteness
LOCATION
FABRIKculture, Rue de Bâle, Hégenheim, France
YEAR
2023
In the era of TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and numerous other platforms, there is a type of pop culture that increasingly brings people together – cuteness.
We are drawn to what unites us and gives us a sense of belonging and comfort. Cuteness, an aesthetic of our time, has found its place not only in social media but in all forms of visual arts.
Why are artists interested in cuteness?
What cultural, social, and political developments foster an art form seeking softness and playful means of expression?
And what does the critical or provocative artistic approach to cuteness look like?
The Critical Cuteness exhibition aims to delve into these questions. It showcases positions that present different approaches to cuteness, emphasizing the richness of the genre's facets. Cuteness is more than a mere self-representation; it is a non-patriarchal aesthetic that playfully and ironically addresses consumer behavior, gender issues, and class differences. Thus, cuteness is not just a "nice to have" but a relevant part of our culture.