99E Ramen
Video, 2023
About the artwork
99E Ramen' draws inspiration from an unexpected event at Niceaunties' solo exhibition of 1000 stills, titled 'Auntieverse'. During the show, a collector mistakenly placed a bid of 99 Ethereum instead of the intended 0.99 Ethereum on a piece featuring ramen, sparking widespread amusement on social media. Although the bid was later retracted and refunded, the incident left a lasting, humorous mark. The AI film portrays an auntie shopping in IKEA (Interstellar Kawaii Environments for Aunties) who decides to order food. Upon receiving the bill, she realises she has misinterpreted the price tag and cannot afford the ramen. The narrative takes a twist as she awakens from this dream, relieved to face no real-world repercussions, yet fondly reminiscing the delightful taste of the ramen.
This AI film is created, animated, and edited by Niceaunties in the programmes Dalle3, Magnific.ai and Runwayml.
Sound Design by Niceaunties, AI generated music by Niceaunties
Audio explanation
Listen to Niceaunties discuss this work.
Niceaunties is a contemporary artist and designer based in Singapore. Drawing inspiration from the influential women in her family and the distinct 'auntie culture,' her work explores themes of ageing, beauty, personal freedom, and everyday life through AI and digital art. Her life experiences and architectural training inform the conceptual basis of her pieces, while her focus on the nuanced behaviours of 'aunties' highlights the culture prevalent in Asian communities.
These women, embodying a spectrum from strange and funny to mean and kind, profoundly influenced the artist's early life and creative narrative, laying the foundation for the unique storytelling of "Niceaunties." Exploring themes like aging, beauty, personal freedom, and the nuances of everyday life, Niceaunties expresses her vision through the mediums of generative and digital art. Her creations are marked by an amalgamation of surrealism, fantasy, and the vibrant aesthetics of kawaii culture.
Influenced by surreal art, fantasy, and kawaii culture, Niceaunties' art champions empowerment and self-expression.