2012's Best Art Memes

The rate of cross-fertilization between the art world and the Internet ephemera known as memes will only increase. This year saw unparalleled development on this front, from hugely popular artworks that spawned memes of their own — including, we'd argue, the meme of the year, not just in the art world but in the world in general — to memes from the world of politics whose rapid propagation spilled over into the realm of visual art. Here, then, are ARTINFO's top 10 art memes of 2012.

Beast Jesus

Favorite instance: "Beast Jesus” in Caravaggio's “Ecce Homo”

#2Deep4U

Favorite instance: Abstract minimalist is #2Deep4U

The LACMA Rock

Favorite instance: Jesus lifting "Levitated Mass"

Novelty Art Fair Twitters

Iconic Artwork Poses

Favorite instance: These guys

Angelina Jolie’s Leg

Favorite Instance: Angie’s Leg on da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man

Gangnam Style

Favorite Instance: Anish Kapoor’s politically charged Gangnam style video, made with Amnesty International

McKayla is Not Impressed

Favorite Instance: McKayla’s Not Impressed expression on the Mona Lisa

Hennessy Youngman’s Art Thoughtz

Favorite Instance: Art Thoughtz’s takedown of Damien Hirst, by far one of the better reviews

Binders Full of Women

Favorite Instance: Dan “The Painter of Pancakes” Lacey’s painting “Mitt Romney With Binders Full Of Women” (2012)