Fakewhale Newsletter Issue #35

Hello,

Welcome to issue #35 of the Fakewhale Newsletter!

Today marks the debut of ‘Age of Empires’ by Woc, a Fakewhale Gallery release on Verse at 7pm CET / 1 pm ET.

AGE OF EMPIRES: POWER, INFLUENCE AND LEGACY

Woc is an artist born in Turin in 1995, where he lives and works. Woc’s practice centers on the transformative potential of images, dissecting their evolution in meaning and form through the lenses of technology, culture, and historical memory.

In Age of Empires, Woc distills the visual language of power and influence in the digital age, recontextualizing iconic figures and internet-born symbols to examine how empires, past and present, shape their legacies.

The collection consists of three unique works, each presented in a 24-hour auction format starting from zero, going live at 7 PM CET / 1 PM ET on Verse.

DOGE, the Shiba Inu that transcended its origins as a 2010 photograph, captures the peculiar trajectory of the internet’s cultural artifacts. What began as a whimsical meme exploded into a cryptocurrency phenomenon, symbolizing how humor and absurdity can acquire tangible power in a world fueled by virality. DOGE, upheld by figures like Elon Musk, embodies the blurred line between influence and spectacle, where memes move markets and satire shapes economic realities.

On the other hand, Ross Ulbricht’s inclusion confronts the ethical tensions surrounding digital autonomy. The architect of Silk Road, Ulbricht shaped a libertarian vision of decentralization and anonymity, ideals that challenged the limits of legality and governance. His recent release after more than a decade in prison reignites questions about the cost of innovation and the intersection of morality, technology, and freedom. In the shadow of ongoing debates about cryptocurrency regulation, Ulbricht’s legacy reminds us that empires often rise on the fault lines of disruption.

Then there is Zhang Yiming, the mastermind behind ByteDance and TikTok, who represents, in a way, the algorithm as empire. His platforms have redefined cultural consumption, turning attention into currency and sparking global discussions about surveillance, sovereignty, and influence. This month’s renewed scrutiny of TikTok, with bans and political crackdowns escalating, underscores the precarious balance between creative empowerment and control that defines the digital age.

Discover the full curatorial article & place your bids before the auction period closes tomorrow, January 31st, at 7pm CET / 1pm ET ↓

ART MARKET: WEEKLY CURATION

Explore our weekly curation thread on X to uncover the latest gems part of the ART MARKET ↓

INSIGHTS

SYNTHETIC PROGRAM X TICK TACK GALLERY

SYNTHETIC PROGRAM debuts in Antwerp in partnership with the TICK TACK CINEMA Program. The new exhibition, inaugurated on January 21, 2025, will be open until February 13, 2025.

As a curated format showcasing the work of artists who use artificial intelligence as an expressive and transformative medium, SYNTHETIC PROGRAM has already hosted exhibitions, events, and commercial activations.

This new screening at TICK TACK now shines a spotlight on works by Kevin Abosch, Olga Fedorova, Scerbo and Fakewhale Studio.

Read the full article ↓

CONTEMPORARY BLOG

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That wraps this week’s issue of the Fakewhale Newsletter, be sure to check in for the next one for more insights into the Fakewhale ecosystem!