Editor’s Note: Post-#BanksyNY residence, we turned to our number cruncher, Zachary McCune, to analyze the social media impact of the Banksy residency.
Author Archives: Zachary McCune
Zachary McCune is a digital culture researcher specializing in mobile and social platforms. He has developed music visualizers for MTV, filmed a documentary on traditional Irish games, and written an 80-page study of Instagram. His tweets regularly and proudly maintains a Pinterest board of historical oddities.
Posted inArt
The Social Media Footprint of Ann Hamilton’s Park Ave Armory Installation
Did you share a quick Instagram at Ann Hamilton’s “Event of a Thread” (2012)? You were not alone. At the end of the exhibition, visitors had shared 4,640 photos.
Posted inArt
Are You Talking About Rembrandt the Artist or the Tooth Whitener?
Since his passing in 1669, Rembrandt has had a vibrant second life selling cigars and teeth whitening kits. His “artsploitation” — like that of monk turned liqueur Fra Angelico — offers a cautionary tale in a world searching for untapped and undefended brand equity. Social media reveals the odd cultural conflations of artists as products and brands.
Posted inArt
Statuesque! Manhattan’s Most Popular Public Art
Lady Liberty receives more than 3.5 million tourists every year. But how does that match up with some of New York’s other public art that do not have ticket sales to track attendance? For stats we turn to Foursquare.
Posted inArt
Social Media Popularity Contest: Cindy Sherman v Damien Hirst
At the moment of their retrospectives, which artist is more popular: Cindy Sherman, now at the MoMA, or Damien Hirst at Tate Modern? Let’s see what social media has to say on the topic.