V.I.R.A.L

How do shared images shape who we are?

V.I.R.A.L is an ongoing annual series of large-scale tapestries translating the most significant memes of each year into woven form. Memes function as contemporary folklore, transmitting ideas, humor, and ideology in seconds, yet they are ephemeral, endlessly copied, and constantly reshaped by diverse communities. Through this process, memes contribute to a shared visual culture, reflecting and influencing collective identity across societies.

In this series, Nikahetiya extracts memes from the digital sphere and transforms them into woven form, exploring how intangible images gain permanence and material significance. Historically, woven tapestries recorded victories, power, and social narratives, codifying singular perspectives into enduring symbols. Similarly, memes shape collective memory, values, and public discourse, albeit rapidly, democratically, and with multiple interpretations.

Collaborating with traditional artisans, Nikahetiya removes text and explicit meaning, leaving patterns of color, texture, and rhythm. The resulting tapestries are tactile records of a shared visual culture, where replication, interpretation, and perception converge. They embody collective identity in physical form, making ephemeral digital phenomena tangible and enduring.

Works created in collaboration with Reyas Ali Studio, Kolkata, India, and Ashish Singh, Bahodi, India.