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The artistic mind is a curious one. It's always searching for new ways to interpret the world and can find inspiration even in the mundane and unexpected.

And the subreddit r/artmemes embodies that spirit perfectly. A hub for artists, meme enthusiasts, and casual browsers alike, it invites folks to share their takes on the creative process, popular works, and everything else in between.

So we took up the role of a curator and handpicked a collection of its top posts to help you familiarize yourself with this awesome online community. Enjoy!

To learn more about art, memes, and their impact, we contacted Dr. Ben Street, an art historian, author, lecturer, and educator based in London, United Kingdom.

"I think memes can definitely have a positive impact on the art world," Street told Bored Panda.

"But the important questions they can and should ask aren't about what art means. No one's going to agree on that, and it's not urgent. Instead, they should focus on wider problems in the art industry. There are so many. Memes can draw attention to them."

#3

Peace Is Not An Option Always

Peace Is Not An Option Always

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Lavern Defazio
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14 hours ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I prefer to say WWJJD...what would Judge Judy do? Im a rational person.

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One of such issues discussed on r/artmemes is the rise of AI in the creative industries. Many community members are concerned that the technologies can overshadow traditional artistry, and create posts about its authenticity, ownership, and the future of human creativity.

Their worries are understandable. After all, Los Angeles is even set to introduce the world's first AI art museum. Dubbed Dataland, it is expected to open its doors in 2025, in a new development next to the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Broad Museum, and the home of the LA Philharmonic, penetrating the space of the city's most prestigious cultural venues.

So r/artmemes does offer a medium for relevant conversations.

#7

Strike A Pose

Strike A Pose

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J K
Community Member
10 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For some people they save time and effort as there is little difference between their face and rear end.

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#9

Daniel Was Saved Because He Said Pspspsps

Daniel Was Saved Because He Said Pspspsps

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Lace Neil
Community Member
11 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Truth. When we got a dog despite dad saying no, the dog spent her first week sitting by dad and gazing adoringly at him.

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Street, the author of How to Enjoy Art: A Guide for Everyone and 200 Words to Help You Talk About Art, acknowledges that memes can be a form of art in and of themselves, but questions the necessity of categorizing them as such.

Indeed, according to researchers looking at modern forms of communication, they are a language in themselves, with a capacity to transcend cultures and construct collective identities between people.

As Paolo Gerbaudo, a reader in digital politics and director of the Centre for Digital Culture at Kings College London told the BBC, these pictures "are one of the clearest manifestations of the fact there is such a thing as digital culture."

#10

I Summon The Great Bob! (Not Mine.)

I Summon The Great Bob! (Not Mine.)

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#12

Simpler Times

Simpler Times

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BeesEelsAndPups
Community Member
10 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a common misconception between life expectancy and life span. There are a lot of ancient Roman records showing people living well into their 90s in the 1st century AD. The human life span has been around 90 years for the last 2000 years at least. The question is whether you'd survive into adulthood, and then if you'd make it to middle age.

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Memes are said to tap into collective online consciousness and have been referred to as digital folklore – or "Netlore."

According to Gerbaudo, they allow us to see not just the new ways people do things or the new ways people express themselves in public, "but also some of the themes, some of the anxieties or desires people have."

#14

*checks Microwave To Make Sure It Doesn't Spontaneously Combust*

*checks Microwave To Make Sure It Doesn't Spontaneously Combust*

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#17

Louis Wain's Deteriorating Kaleidoscope Cats Are A Mood

Louis Wain's Deteriorating Kaleidoscope Cats Are A Mood

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StarCrossedFriday
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14 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These were supposedly the cat portraits by Louis Wain, documenting his descent into schizophrenia. However, while he did spend the end of his life in mental hospitals, we don’t know his diagnosis, and these paintings were not dated - he used this ‘psychedelic’ style earlier on in life too. It’s a cool story, but not necessarily true.

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You don't need to be active on a million subreddits to be considered part of it. If you are looking at a meme, Gerbaudo says, and "you get through the kind of enigma or mystery around that at face value" you are probably part of the group it is aimed at. "You understand [the] language, you understand the assumptions of the group."

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#27

Poe Boy

Poe Boy

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
14 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now I'm easy lore never more. Now I'm Usher House, never mouse. The Cask of Amontillado..... For meeeeeeeee.....

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#32

Guilty

Guilty

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Lavern Defazio
Community Member
14 hours ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't do what he is doing, I'd be buck naked on that couch. Gotta get comfy and let it all loose and airy.

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#34

Story Of My Life

Story Of My Life

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Glix Drap
Community Member
11 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That or you're dying for a pee and the artist tells you to sit still for another few minutes.

#40

What? That's Outrageous! ... She Should Be On Roller Skates

What? That's Outrageous! ... She Should Be On Roller Skates

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Annik Perrot
Community Member
13 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah. That's the kind of world that fuc*ed up person imagines atheists want. Which probably means it comes out of his personal guilty wet dreams.

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Note: this post originally had 101 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

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