Google Portrait Series
drawings
2007-2013

A Google Portrait is a drawing that shows the Google search request for a specific person in form of an encoded URL. Any smart phone is capable to decode the matrix-code with a barcode reader app. In returnt the software runs a Google search on the portrayed person and shows the result page in the browser. 'Vanity surfing' is a very popular way to make sure the Google result page doesn t show unwanted information. This very page with the 10 most important links represent the contemporary portrait of a person today. It is the first batch of information we learn about someone. It puts people in context of their acitivities and often also display pictures. The portrait dynamically changes over time depending on Googles algorithms. While the drawing of the QR code is static the activities of the portrait person result in a constantly chaning online identity.

Kate Middleton, Google search, english, 100 x 100 cm, charcoal on paper 2013 (private collection)

Larry Page & Sergey Brin, Google search, english, 100 x 100 cm , 2013 (private collections)

Google portraits at 'Social Media' PaceMcGill / Pace Gallery NYC, September 16 - October 15, 2011

'Penelope Umbrico' Google search english
70 x 70 cm, edding on paper

'Jason Smith' Google search english,
70 x 70 cm, edding on paper

'Aram Bartholl' Google search german,
70 x 70 cm, stamp ink on paper

Four Google self-portraits commissioned by Microwave Festival, Hong Kong, 2009. Each QR-code represents a visual encryption of a search on 'Aram Bartholl' in a specific language on Google.

Shown at::

• Pace Gallery NYC Sept.-Oct. 2011
• at Art Amsterdam 26.-30. of May 2010 represented by Multiple Gallery XX
• Microwave Festival, Hong Kong, Oct. 2009

Pictures and blog posts:

• all blog posts related to Google Portraits
  arambartholl.com/blog/tag/google-portrait