Four Stages of Simulacrum

Stage One: Initially, the sign (image or representation) is a reflection of basic reality. Stage Two: The sign masks a basic reality. The image becomes a distortion of reality. Stage Three: The sign marks the absence of basic reality. The image calls into question what the reality is and if it even exists. Stage Four: The sign bears no relation to any reality whatsoever; it is its own pure simulacrum Swedish Fish OREO

A four-panel progression shows fish, cooked salmon, fish-shaped chicken nuggets, and Swedish Fish OREO cookies. The joke illustrates stages of simulacrum: an image begins by representing reality, then distorts it, questions it, and finally becomes completely detached from reality. It is used as an absurd reaction to increasingly artificial or surreal substitutions.

• @threedotssavetogallery / 5418 2024-09-28