Internet memes may only have achieved popularity in the past few decades, but the medium has become a part of our psyche.
One of the first viral meme platforms, 9Gag, is taking the memes offline to its Meme Museum at the K11 Art Mall chi K11 art space until September 5.
"A simple meme can make a person's day," said CEO and cofounder of 9Gag Ray Chan.
"After a year of Covid and lockdowns, 9Gag wants to bring more happiness to the world, not just online but also offline. We worked with K11 Art Mall to pick the best memes from different time periods to connect with people from different generations."
Access to the museum is through a dimly lit tunnel with a big neon sign. Inside, the first installation is In Meme Time, which features computers showing different memes throughout the years.
From the internet's first viral memes, like Nyan Cat and Troll Face, to the Ppap song and Hide the Pain Harold, to the more recent Distracted Boyfriend and Woman Yelling at a Cat, the computers in the tunnel showcase the history of memes and their evolution.
"Memes are like living organisms which evolve and grow. From insider jokes online, they have grown to be a part of people's daily lives," said Chan. "Memes are a great way for people to express themselves and add fun and personality to conversation when words don't suffice."
The industrial and metallic theme follows into the next installation, Meme-go-around.
As the title suggests, different memes and their descriptions are suspended from an overhead conveyor rotator.
Audiences will be able to see 78 memes from all across the world in detail, including familiar ones from Hong Kong, as well as their origins. For example, the "Is This a Pigeon?" meme is from the 1991 Japanese anime The Brave Fighter Of Sun Fighbird, and "I want it all" meme came from the 1994 Hong Kong comedy Hail the Judge.
Going deep into the factory-like meme museum, the audience will encounter a rotating conveyor belt, iPads set up on a IV drip hanger, and Meme Museum lab technicians in white coats assist you in your enjoyment of these memes in a four-dimensional setting.
With the help of the iPads and augmented reality technology, the surprised Pikachu meme can now be enjoyed in three-dimensional form and how the local "worse than Hoi-ting" meme would smell like in Beyond the Meme.
"Memes travel across cultures and countries. A Meme Museum wouldn't feel complete if we didn't have local memes. We want to include memes that people in Hong Kong can understand and find relatable," explained Chan.
Looking to commemorate your visit? On the side, there is a Memeingful Tattoo Station as well as a Meme Me photo booth that allows you to get a temporary tattoo or insert yourself into iconic memes such as Salt Bae and Disaster Girl.
Limited-edition Yes!Cards are also available in machines across the mall. These are one of Chan's favorite parts of the exhibition, as they bring back childhood memories.
While viral memes are not often considered art in the traditional sense and digital content creators, like memelords, do not often receive remuneration for their work, the new non-fungible token model may be a solution.
"NFTs help secure creative digital content, as creators can maintain and show their ownership rights more easily," said Chan.
"The popularity of NFTs creates opportunities for new art platforms, motivating people to buy and appreciate digital creations. In return, it provides more resources for creators to create more."
Coexhibitors of the Meme Museum have created In Memes We Love an NFT artwork that combines 100 viral memes worldwide.
"Each of the memes represents a story, culture, thoughts, and feelings of a specific audience. It allows people to look for memes that resonate with us through this retrospective artwork."
