Obey Meme: Understanding the Iconic Internet Trend

Everywhere you look, the “Obey” meme is there. It’s a black-and-white image of Andre the Giant that has become a symbol of rebellion and commentary. But its origins are more complex than it seems1.

The story of the Obey meme is fascinating. It started as a small sticker campaign in the late 1980s. Now, it’s a global internet sensation2. We’ll see how it became a tool for artists, activists, and internet users to share their views2.

Exploring the Obey meme’s history and impact on culture is enlightening. It shows us how internet memes shape our world. Let’s dive into the Obey meme’s story together.

Key Takeaways

  • The Obey meme started with a sticker campaign featuring Andre the Giant.
  • Its striking look and open message make it a tool for expressing opinions on many issues.
  • The meme’s lasting appeal and ability to grow beyond its origins show its importance in internet culture.
  • Learning about the Obey meme’s history helps us understand the changing world of memes and social commentary.
  • Studying the Obey meme’s journey across platforms reveals the patterns and trends of internet phenomena.

The Origins of the Obey Meme

The Obey meme started in the early 1990s. Graphic designer Shepard Fairey launched the “Andre the Giant Has a Posse” sticker campaign3. He was inspired by Andre the Giant, a famous wrestler. Fairey made stickers with Andre’s face and the word “OBEY” in big letters3.

The Andre the Giant Sticker Campaign

Fairey wanted to question propaganda and mind control3. The stickers were mysterious and thought-provoking. They quickly became popular, setting the stage for the Obey meme’s rise online3.

Years later, Fairey’s “OBEY” image is known across the U.S. It’s a symbol of street art and social commentary4. The original logo has Andre the Giant’s face and “obey” in white on red, in a Futura Extra Bold Condensed Italic font3.

Shepard Fairey uses “obey” to criticize propaganda and society3. He wants to spread awareness and empowerment through art and fashion3. The Obey brand is all about street art, self-empowerment, and challenging the status quo3.

“The message conveyed by Fairey’s artwork is symbolized by the word ‘OBEY’ in association with the Andre the Giant face.”4

Shepard Fairey has made a big impact on popular culture. The Obey meme still connects with people worldwide34.

The Viral Spread of the Obey Meme

The Obey meme started in the early 2000s. It moved from stickers to a big online presence. This was because its style and message hit a chord with many online5.

Memes were first noted in 1976 by Richard Dawkins5. Shepard Fairey introduced “André the Giant Has a Posse” in the 1980s5. In 1994, “OBEY” became the main branding5.

Memetic Imagery and Social Commentary

The Obey meme spread widely online, becoming a tool for many views and critiques5. It started with still images and text, seen in Nehal Patel’s 1997 meme “Mr. T Ate My Balls.”5 People used it to talk about many things, like consumer culture and politics5.

The meme’s lasting appeal comes from its simple yet powerful visuals5. Memetics studies how information spreads like evolution5. Professor Ryan Milner says humor is key for memes to connect with people5.

Obey Meme Viral Spread

“Obey the Walrus” first appeared in 2005 on eBaum’s World6. It has 6.6 million views now6. Sandie Crisp, the star, passed away in 2021 at 61 from COVID-196.

The video has over 250,000 views since 20066. “OBEDECE A LA MORSA!” by OBEYDAWALRUS became infamous in 20076. It started an online movement called “Finiharios.”6

The “Kilroy was here” meme began before World War II7. It showed up everywhere, even on famous landmarks7. “Frodo Lives!” was a meme in the 60s and 70s, seen on buttons and graffiti7.

“Andre the Giant Has a Posse” started in 19897. It was popular in the skater community and spread across the U.S7.. Alfred E. Neuman, from Mad magazine, became a pop culture icon7. The three hares meme has been around since the Sui Dynasty in China7.

Obey Meme: Cultural Impact and Influence

The Obey meme has made a big splash in culture, going beyond its street art roots8. It started in 1989 by Shepard Fairey at Rhode Island School of Design8. Thousands of stickers with Andre the Giant’s image spread across the Eastern U.S. in the early 1990s.

Commercialization and Mainstream Adoption

As it grew popular, the meme became big business, showing up on lots of products9. In 2015, a museum in New York showed “How Cats Took Over the Internet,” a rare sight for memes in museums10. This move, while criticized, made the meme a big part of pop culture10. The Obey Melanie trend started in 2023 and is now a big part of meme culture, filled with humor and satire.

The meme’s reach is vast, with artists, activists, and brands using it9. It first appeared in 2011 as “Business Cat” on Reddit9. Memetics study it like Universal Darwinism, focusing on meme evolution9.

obey meme cultural impact

Meme Exhibition Year Description
“No Humans Involved” 2022 Featured installations by only seven artists in a single gallery at the Hammer, making a significant impact9.
“Measures Not Men” 2017 A 7-foot wall of salt blocks by Wilmer Wilson IV challenged conventional notions9.
Abiogenators Series 2020 SANGREE, a collaborative partnership, presented work from their Abiogenators series, constructed a semaphoric choreography of brilliant-hued vessels, masks, and connective supports9.
“Flesh on Flesh” 2021 Sondra Perry’s large-scale mount depicted the artist’s facial skin surface in a 3D image9.
“Sepultura de semillas / Sepulchre of Seeds” 2021 Eddie Aparicio’s installation featured a monolithic cube of amber embedded with various materials9.
“No More Tears” 2020 Las Nietas de Nonó, a sibling duo, constructed a luminescent jungle cavern9.

“The Obey meme’s influence can be seen in its adoption by various artists, activists, and even mainstream brands, demonstrating its ability to resonate with diverse audiences and continue to provoke thought and discussion about the power of imagery and the nature of authority.”

In conclusion, the Obey meme has deeply influenced culture, growing from a street art project to a big part of pop culture. It has been used by artists, activists, and brands, showing its wide appeal. It keeps sparking discussions about the power of images and authority.

Conclusion

The Obey meme started as a simple sticker campaign but grew into a big internet phenomenon. Its journey shows how powerful visual communication and thought-provoking images can be. It moved from a small counter-cultural symbol to a big part of popular culture, reaching more people11.

The Obey meme keeps changing and staying important in internet culture. It helps people express themselves, share thoughts, and explore big ideas like power and human nature12. Its lasting effect on visual culture and sparking discussions shows its ongoing relevance.

In the future, the Obey meme will likely keep changing, showing how society and digital media evolve. It will continue to grab our attention and challenge us, pushing what a meme can do and its impact. Through new art, creative uses, or cultural mix-ups, the Obey meme’s influence will keep inspiring and making us think about authority, images, and our role in the world.

FAQ

What is the Obey meme?

The Obey meme is a big deal on the internet. It started with a sticker campaign featuring Andre the Giant. Now, it’s a way for people to share their views on big issues.

How did the Obey meme originate?

It all began in the early 1990s. Graphic designer Shepard Fairey started the “Andre the Giant Has a Posse” sticker campaign. He used Andre’s face and the word “OBEY” to question propaganda and mind control.

How did the Obey meme become a viral phenomenon?

In the early 2000s, the Obey meme spread online. Its bold style and message caught the eye of many. It became a way for people to share their thoughts on many topics.

What is the cultural impact and influence of the Obey meme?

The Obey meme has made a big splash in culture. It started as street art but now is on lots of products. This has made it a big part of popular culture. It shows how powerful images can be and how they can challenge authority.

Source Links

  1. Poster Memes | Meme Research Discussion – https://knowyourmeme.com/forums/meme-research/topics/381-poster-memes
  2. PDF – https://is.muni.cz/th/384995/fss_m/Buchel_thesis.pdf
  3. Obey Logo and symbol, meaning, history, PNG, brand – https://1000logos.net/obey-logo/
  4. OBEY, OR NOT OBEY? · The Metropolitan – https://themetdet.com/obey-or-not-obey/
  5. It’s All About Meme – Artillery Magazine – https://artillerymag.com/its-all-about-meme/
  6. Obey The Walrus – https://creepy-videos.fandom.com/wiki/Obey_The_Walrus
  7. 7 Memes That Went Viral Before The Internet Existed – https://www.cracked.com/article_19119_7-memes-that-went-viral-before-internet-existed.html
  8. Andre the Giant Has a Posse – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_the_Giant_Has_a_Posse
  9. It’s All About Meme – by anthony ausgang – Issuu – https://issuu.com/artillerymag/docs/artillery_digital_mar-apr_2022/s/15049700
  10. Obey Melanie: An In-Depth Look at the Viral Phenomenon – https://liverpoolbuzz.co.uk/obey-melanie/
  11. Obedience – Stuff You Missed in Sunday School – https://missedinsunday.com/memes/sexism/obedience-3/
  12. Obey Me: The Theory of Time Travel – https://www.tumblr.com/thalfox/625096466470436864/i-wanna-know-your-opinions-on-lesson-16-like-that

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top