AUGUST 2024

This month, we profile contemporary artist Sarah Sze, discover who invented the USB, and look at The Origin of Memes.

Sarah Sze: An In-Depth Artist Profile

Sarah Sze was born in 1969 in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in a family that appreciated the arts. Her father, a prominent lawyer, and her mother, an architect, fostered an environment where creativity and intellectual exploration were encouraged. Sze’s academic journey began at Yale University, where she graduated with a BA in Architecture and Painting in 1991. She then pursued an MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York, which she completed in 1997.

Sze’s work is characterized by its meticulous assembly of everyday objects into elaborate installations that challenge the viewer’s perception of space, scale, and materiality. Her pieces often resemble three-dimensional collages, incorporating items such as Q-tips, string, plastic plants, and paper clips. This bricolage approach transforms mundane materials into something extraordinary, urging viewers to reconsider the ordinary elements of daily life.

A recurring theme in Sze’s work is the intersection of the micro and macro, the personal and the universal. Her installations often evoke scientific models, planetary systems, and architectural structures, creating a dialogue between the intimate and the infinite. This complex layering invites viewers to explore and interact with the work from multiple perspectives.

One of Sze’s most significant works is her installation for the United States Pavilion at the 2013 Venice Biennale. Titled “Triple Point,” this ambitious project filled the pavilion with a labyrinthine array of objects and images that explored the concept of measurement and the tension between chaos and order. The installation was highly praised for its ability to transform the space into a dynamic and immersive environment.

Another notable project is “Blueprint for a Landscape” (2016), a permanent installation at the 96th Street subway station in New York City. This piece integrates intricate drawings with the architectural elements of the station, creating a site-specific work that engages daily commuters in a moment of contemplation and discovery.

Sze’s work has been exhibited in major art institutions worldwide. Her solo exhibitions include shows at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Victoria Miro Gallery in London. Her installations are part of permanent collections in renowned museums such as the Tate Modern in London and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Sarah Sze has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career, reflecting her significant contributions to contemporary art. In 2003, she was awarded the MacArthur Fellowship, often referred to as the “genius grant,” which acknowledged her innovative approach to sculpture and installation art. This prestigious award is given to individuals who have shown exceptional creativity in their work and the promise for more in the future.

In addition to the MacArthur Fellowship, Sze has received the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Biennial Competition Award (1999) and the Radcliffe Institute Fellowship (2005). Her ability to continually push the boundaries of her medium and her dedication to her artistic practice have cemented her reputation as a leading figure in contemporary art.

Sze’s influence extends beyond her artwork through her role as a professor of visual arts at Columbia University. Here, she mentors the next generation of artists, encouraging them to explore the intersections of different media and the potential of installation art. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of experimentation and the exploration of materials, reflecting her own artistic practice.

Sarah Sze’s work challenges conventional notions of sculpture and installation, pushing the boundaries of what art can be and how it can interact with the viewer. Her innovative use of everyday materials and her ability to transform spaces have made her a significant figure in contemporary art. By creating works that are both intricate and expansive, personal and universal, Sze invites viewers to engage with the world in new and meaningful ways.

Through her installations, Sze not only captures the complexity of the modern world but also creates a space for contemplation and discovery, making her work an essential part of the contemporary art landscape. As she continues to create and inspire, Sarah Sze’s legacy will undoubtedly influence generations of artists to come.

The Revolutionary Journey of USB Development and Ajay Bhatt

In the mid-1990s, computer users grappled with a tangled mess of different ports and connectors, each requiring specific cables for keyboards, mice, printers, and other peripherals. This chaotic landscape was about to change thanks to the visionary work of Ajay Bhatt and his team at Intel, who developed the Universal Serial Bus (USB). Bhatt’s motivation was personal: the frequent technical issues his family encountered with connecting devices spurred him to create a universal standard that would simplify these tasks.

Ajay Bhatt was born in 1957 in Baroda, India, and after completing his graduation from Maharaja Sayajirao University, he moved to the City University of New York for his Master’s degree. Bhatt joined Intel in 1990, where he became a senior staff architect. His prolific career at Intel saw him earn 132 US and international patents, though the USB, notably, is not among them.

The development of the USB started as a project to streamline the myriad of connectors into a single, user-friendly standard. This effort required collaboration across the industry, including key discussions with companies like Microsoft. One pivotal moment came when Microsoft’s Betsy Tanner expressed concerns about the USB’s initial speed being too high for certain peripherals like the mouse, which led Bhatt’s team to develop both high-speed and low-speed transfer options, ensuring broader compatibility and adoption.

Convincing the tech industry to adopt USB was a significant challenge. Bhatt and his colleagues had to ensure that the USB would be cost-effective. This goal was achieved by placing the more expensive components in the computer, while devices like mice and keyboards contained only simple, inexpensive chips. This strategic decision facilitated widespread adoption because it lowered the overall cost of peripherals.

Despite initial resistance from major players like Apple, which had its own FireWire technology, the practicality and efficiency of USB eventually won out. Apple’s iMac, released in 1998, was one of the first major products to feature USB exclusively, marking a significant turning point in the technology’s acceptance.

Since its introduction, the USB has undergone several iterations, each enhancing its speed and functionality. The original USB 1.0, which could transfer data at 1.5 Mbps, evolved into USB 2.0 in 2000 with a significant speed boost to 480 Mbps. Later versions, like USB 3.0 and USB-C, have further increased data transfer rates and power delivery capabilities, making USB the backbone of modern computer connectivity.

Today, the USB is ubiquitous, found in almost every computer and electronic device, from simple flash drives to complex external hard drives and peripherals. Bhatt’s vision of a universal connector has largely been realized, simplifying connectivity for users around the world.

First-hand accounts from the development period highlight the collaborative and often challenging nature of creating a new industry standard. One such account comes from Jim Pappas, an Intel colleague of Bhatt, who recounted the critical phone call from Microsoft that influenced the decision to support multiple speeds within the USB standard. This adaptability was crucial in meeting various technological needs without significantly raising costs.

Bhatt’s reflections on the project reveal his satisfaction with the USB’s success, driven by the initial simple desire to make everyday tasks easier for users. Despite not profiting directly from the invention, Bhatt’s contribution has had a lasting impact, streamlining technology and improving usability for millions of people worldwide.

Ajay Bhatt’s work on the USB exemplifies how innovative thinking and industry collaboration can overcome significant technological hurdles to create something transformative. The USB’s development story is not just about technical achievement but also about understanding user needs and fostering cooperation across the industry to bring about a universal solution.

The Origin of Memes: From Humble Beginnings to Internet Stardom

The term “meme” was coined by the evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. He described memes as units of cultural information that spread from person to person, similar to the way genes transmit biological information. Little did Dawkins know that his term would become a cornerstone of internet culture.

While the term was coined in 1976, memes have been around much longer, albeit without the name. The first recorded instance of what we now recognize as a meme appeared in the 1920s. In 1921, a comic strip published in the University of Iowa’s satirical magazine The Judge featured a two-panel cartoon that played on the “Expectations vs. Reality” theme. This comic is often credited as the world’s first meme.

The comic depicted the discrepancy between how one perceives oneself and how one actually appears to others. This format is strikingly familiar to the countless “Expectation vs. Reality” memes we see circulating on social media today. The discovery of this early meme highlights that the essence of meme culture—humor, relatability, and a touch of self-deprecation—has been part of human nature for over a century.

The advent of the internet in the late 20th century laid the groundwork for the rapid spread of digital memes. The 1990s saw the birth of the first internet memes, with notable examples like the “Dancing Baby” in 1996. This 3D-rendered, cha-cha dancing baby quickly went viral across email chains and early websites, becoming one of the earliest examples of a meme spreading online.

The early 2000s witnessed the rise of platforms like Something Awful, 4chan, and Reddit, which became breeding grounds for meme culture. Sites like these allowed users to share and create memes, fostering a community-driven approach to humor and viral content. Memes such as “All Your Base Are Belong to Us” from the poorly translated Japanese video game Zero Wing and “Badger Badger Badger,” a looping Flash animation, exemplified the quirky and often absurd humor that defined this era.

The mid-2000s to early 2010s are often considered the golden age of memes. This period saw the rise of iconic memes like “Rickrolling,” where unsuspecting users were tricked into clicking a link that led to Rick Astley’s 1987 hit “Never Gonna Give You Up,” and “Rage Comics,” simple, crudely drawn comics that captured everyday frustrations and joys. Memes like “Trollface,” “Forever Alone,” and “Y U NO” became staples of internet humor.

As meme culture matured, the content became more surreal, self-referential, and often intentionally nonsensical. “Dank memes,” a term used to describe memes that are deliberately obscure or absurd, began to dominate. These memes often involve layers of irony and meta-humor, reflecting a deeper engagement with meme culture itself. Memes like “Distracted Boyfriend,” which depicts a man turning away from his girlfriend to look at another woman, and “Change My Mind,” a man sitting at a table with a sign that invites people to challenge his opinion, illustrate the sophisticated and multi-faceted nature of modern memes.

Several key figures and platforms have played pivotal roles in shaping meme culture:

Richard Dawkins: As the originator of the term “meme,” Dawkins’ contribution cannot be overstated. His concept of cultural transmission through imitation laid the theoretical groundwork for understanding how memes spread.

Matt Furie: The creator of Pepe the Frog, a character from his comic series Boys Club, which became a widely recognized and sometimes controversial meme. Despite its appropriation by various groups, Pepe remains a significant figure in meme history.

Christopher Poole (moot): The founder of 4chan, a platform that has been a breeding ground for many of the internet’s most influential memes. 4chan’s anonymous and freewheeling culture has allowed for the rapid creation and dissemination of memes.

Ken M: An internet persona known for his hilariously absurd comments on news articles, embodying the spirit of trolling and absurdity in modern meme culture.

Memes have transcended their origins as simple jokes to become powerful tools for communication, political discourse, and social commentary. They encapsulate complex ideas and emotions in digestible formats, making them potent vehicles for spreading awareness and influencing opinions. During significant events like elections, social movements, and global crises, memes often capture the essence of public sentiment, providing both comedic relief and critical perspectives.

As internet culture continues to evolve, so too will the memes that define it. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality, are likely to influence the future of meme creation and dissemination. The rapid pace of technological advancement means that memes will continue to adapt, reflecting the changing ways in which people communicate and interact online.

Moreover, institutions like the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s archives are beginning to recognize the cultural significance of memes. By preserving these digital artifacts, they ensure that future generations can study and appreciate the humor, creativity, and social dynamics of our time.

From a 1921 comic strip to today’s viral sensations, memes have a rich history that reflects our changing world. They are a testament to human creativity and our innate desire to connect and communicate through shared humor and experiences. As long as there are people with internet connections and a sense of humor, memes will continue to evolve, making us laugh, think, and occasionally scratch our heads in bewilderment.

So next time you share a meme, remember that you’re part of a long tradition of humor and shared human experience. Now, go forth and spread the meme gospel!