Dear Shaded Viewers,
Paris-based artist Amandine Kuhlmann, born in 1992, delves into themes of femininity, identity, and social media culture through her evocative videos and photographs. Her latest project, Cash Me Online, exemplifies her ability to blend performance, photography, and video into a powerful critique of societal norms. Through the creation of a hypersexualized alter ego, Kuhlmann confronts the commodification of women’s bodies and the artificial standards perpetuated by digital spaces.
In Cash Me Online, Kuhlmann introduces a fictional character—a hypersexualized persona who operates both online and during public performances. This alter ego adopts exaggerated poses inspired by social media trends, such as glamorous or suggestive postures that mimic the stereotypes dominating virtual platforms. By amplifying these tropes, Kuhlmann forces viewers to confront the absurdity of these social expectations.
The project features short sequences that delve into specific archetypes prevalent in online culture. For instance, Kuhlmann recreates “Mukbang” videos—a phenomenon where viewers watch young women consume excessive amounts of food—juxtaposed with the wellness advice of the “Clean girl,” a figure promoting productivity and self-help mantras. These archetypes are rendered even more surreal through her use of deepfake technology, which overlays her face onto found footage, blending her image with foreign bodies to emphasize their artificiality and strangeness. This technique not only highlights the constructed nature of these personas but also critiques the ways social media imposes unattainable ideals on women.
At its core, Cash Me Online offers a biting critique of how social media commodifies bodies—especially women’s bodies—and reinforces societal constraints. By exaggerating these stereotypes, Kuhlmann creates space for reflection on their impact and opens avenues for liberation from these imposed standards. Her work is not merely an artistic endeavor but also a political statement that challenges viewers to reconsider their complicity in perpetuating these norms.
Kuhlmann’s artistic practice is deeply informed by her background in women’s fashion and beauty journalism. After graduating from ECAL (École cantonale d’art de Lausanne) in 2023, she began exploring femininity and its representations through performance and visual art. Her work has gained international recognition, with exhibitions in group shows such as “A Nova Feminilidade” at Thirdbase Studio in Lisbon and her participation in the Biennale Images Vevey in 2024.
Her experiences in fashion and beauty have provided her with unique insights into the societal pressures placed on women’s appearances. These insights are evident in her art, which interrogates how femininity is constructed and commodified within cultural and digital frameworks.
Kuhlmann’s ability to blend satire with critical commentary resonates deeply with audiences navigating the complexities of identity and self-presentation in an era dominated by social media. By using cutting-edge technology like deepfakes alongside traditional mediums such as photography and performance, she bridges the gap between digital innovation and timeless artistic concerns.
As she continues to challenge societal norms through her projects, Amandine Kuhlmann is undoubtedly shaping conversations around femininity, identity, and liberation—both within the art world and beyond.
Later,
Diane
