What kinds of visualities does an avatar invoke? How does a hyperrealistic image get configured? How do narrative and attitude make an avatar relatable and perhaps even authentic? Is personal style only about fashion, or is there a sociopolitical dimension? Media producer Trevor McFedries discusses the development of his creative style with theorist Aria Dean (@lol_prosciutto), from his early music productions (Buzzin’) to his recent adventures with the virtual influencer avatar Lil Miquela (@lilmiquela), the first computer-generated social media influencer and a budding icon of her generation with millions of fans around the world. (Lil Miquela was named one of Time’s 25 Most Influential People on the Internet in 2018.) 

Cofounder of Brud—a creative agency specializing in robotics, artificial intelligence, and their applications to media businesses—McFedries was previously known professionally as Yung Skeeter and worked as a DJ, producer, and director for acts like Katy Perry and Steve Aoki.

Aria Dean is a New York–based Rhizome Assistant Curator of Net Art and Digital Culture whose writing has appeared in Artforum, Art in America, e-flux, the New Inquiry, and other publications.

Participants and topics are subject to change; visit Berkeley Arts + Design (artsdesign.berkeley.edu) for the most up-to-date series information.