Fakewhale Gallery presents Age of Empires by Woc on Verse

Age of Empires: A Reflection on Power, Influence, and Legacy

Woc is an artist born in Turin in 1995, where he lives and works. Woc’s practice centers on the transformative potential of images, dissecting their evolution in meaning and form through the lenses of technology, culture, and historical memory.

In Age of Empires, he examines the construction of influence and the individuals who have reshaped the digital landscape, transforming the internet into a battleground for power, identity, and cultural dominance.

This collection positions three pivotal figures – DOGE, Ross Ulbricht, and Zhang Yiming – as symbols of the forces driving today’s global narratives: each work a meditation on the dynamics of control and chaos, released at a time when the world grapples with escalating debates over technology’s role in shaping society.

DOGE, the Shiba Inu that transcended its origins as a 2010 photograph, captures the peculiar trajectory of the internet’s cultural artifacts. What began as a whimsical meme exploded into a cryptocurrency phenomenon, symbolizing how humor and absurdity can acquire tangible power in a world fueled by virality. DOGE, upheld by figures like Elon Musk, embodies the blurred line between influence and spectacle, where memes move markets and satire shapes economic realities.

On the other hand, Ross Ulbricht’s inclusion confronts the ethical tensions surrounding digital autonomy. The architect of Silk Road, Ulbricht shaped a libertarian vision of decentralization and anonymity, ideals that challenged the limits of legality and governance. His recent release after more than a decade in prison reignites questions about the cost of innovation and the intersection of morality, technology, and freedom. In the shadow of ongoing debates about cryptocurrency regulation, Ulbricht’s legacy reminds us that empires often rise on the fault lines of disruption.

Then there is Zhang Yiming, the mastermind behind ByteDance and TikTok, who represents, in a way, the algorithm as empire. His platforms have redefined cultural consumption, turning attention into currency and sparking global discussions about surveillance, sovereignty, and influence. This month’s renewed scrutiny of TikTok, with bans and political crackdowns escalating, underscores the precarious balance between creative empowerment and control that defines the digital age.

Released amidst these defining historical moments, Age of Empires serves as a timely reflection on the fragility and complexity of power in a hyperconnected world. Woc reframes these figures not as static icons but as conduits for larger questions about the systems we’ve built: who holds power, how it is wielded, and at what cost.