Four Stages of Simulacra

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.

A four-panel progression shows close-up eyes becoming increasingly exaggerated with makeup and false eyelashes. The captions explain Baudrillard’s four stages of simulacra, ending with an absurd eye image that no longer represents reality. It is used as an ironic reaction to increasingly distorted representations, over-editing, or situations detached from reality.

• @threedotssavetogallery / 2642 2023-02-03