Katrin Niedermeier: Idle Idol Monika

About „Idle Idol Monika“

The project idle idol monika shows a female, – except for high heels – undressed avatar repeating different poses in an isolated virtual environment. This fictive site de-contextualizes the animated body. Various unmodified sequences of movements — commonly perceived as female and proposed as ready made poses on websites — are combined in an endless loop and drift into the absurd through their repetition and rigidity. Patterns of movement such as the avatar frequently falling to the floor come to light and reveal regressive stereotypes. Usually used as templates for the gaming industry, these exercise-like sequences make us aware of how dangerous and falsifying virtual representations of the human body can be. Properties with a particularly feminine connotation, such as nail polish or make-up, appear exaggerated and call the differentiation between typically female, male or diverse, into question.

Idle Idol Monika refers to questions of identity, gender and self-determination, while at the same time questioning the way we deal with avatars – who could soon become our idols.

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