TRISTAN SAUER

This panel concerns the rising popularity of CGI social media influencers. Since 2016, virtual influencers like Lil Miquela have changed the landscape of digital marketing and social media engagement. Despite appearing to be regular social media influencers, these avatars are fabricated by advertising firms and often anonymous creators. The panel will focus on how these virtual influencers perform aspects of human identity—such as race, religion, sexuality, and political ideology—and the impact of this deception on their followings. Artists Jeremy Bailey, Rah Eleh, Ziv Schneider, and moderator Tristan Sauer, will discuss hidden advertising, “digital black face”, performative social justice, accountability, and the role of artists in the creation and management of these digital beings.