The following image was created by a digital artist based in South Carolina who goes by the pseudonym of Beeple. His actual name is Mike Winkelmann. He attracted worldwide media attention last year when he put up for sale a large digital collage of his work at Christie’s Auction House in New York City. The collage sold for the astonishing amount of 69 million dollars US and ownership of the digital work, which was created over a period of 13 years, is guaranteed by Blockchain technology. Among the numerous images in the digital collage is the following interpretation of the Tower of Babel entitled “The First Emoji”. Let us assume that this work of art is on display in an art museum and that it is your task as tour guide to explain its meaning to visitors. What could possibly be the intention of the artist? How does the work relate to the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, and to subsequent interpretations and visual representations of that story? Let your imagination run and pay attention to all the details in this image. What is the significance of what is there, and of what is omitted? What do you deem its most significant aspect? What makes this very contemporary interpretation of an old motif interesting, and how does it relate to our world? You have until Friday, April 8, 11:59 PM to upload your answer. You must be very concise. The absolute maximum length allowed is 1,000 words. References to course material (readings, slides) can be made within parenthesis in the text. Cheers!
