The Lure of the Image

How do images bait or beguile us as they circulate online? How do they compel, capture or control us? The 14 artistic positions presented in the exhibition engage with visual phenomena that serve as vehicles for online communication, criticism and humour, highlighting the crucial role images play in shaping our social, cultural and political landscapes. The show invites you to explore the visual worlds of social media feeds, dating app profiles, beauty filters, memes, ASMR videos, ‘cute’ and ‘cursed’ images, emojis, computer-generated imagery and low-resolution screenshots used for conspiracy or protest. The artistic positions track the complex mechanisms of the lure, shedding light on how images and their underlying structures—from algorithms to datasets—direct our attention, provoke emotions and influence opinions.

With works by Zoé Aubry, Sara Bezovšek, Viktoria Binschtok, Sara Cwynar, Éamonn Freel & Lynski, Dina Kelberman, Michael Mandiberg, Joiri Minaya, Simone C Niquille, Jon Rafman, Jenny Rova, Hito Steyerl, Noura Tafeche and Ellie Wyatt. Curated by Marco De Mutiis, Doris Gassert and Alessandra Nappo (Fotomuseum Winterthur), and adapted for C/O Berlin by Boaz Levin.

Organized by the Fotomuseum Winterthur, in collaboration with C/O Berlin.