Software:Blingee
Blingee (founded 2006) is an online animated GIF creator that allows users to create layered images using original photographs and artwork combined with user-generated ornamentation, referred to as "stamps."
History
Blingee was founded as part of a website network Bauer Teen Network, and marketed towards young people who wished to add personalized imagery to their Myspace pages. The site, however, was different from other web-based GIF editors, allowing users to make their own profiles and other social network-like functionality. Users could also rate the Blingee compositions of others (referred to as "Blingees") and upload new artwork to use as stamps.
Closure and re-opening announcement
On August 14, 2015, Blingee announced that due to infrastructural and business model-related issues, the site would be closing down. The management offered users a way to download their work from the site, while many publications offered eulogies.[1][2] However, a massive fan outcry ensued, leading to the site securing the funding to continue operations, which it announced August 19, 2015.[3] The forum post also announced that several previously premium features would now be free for users.[4]
Use in art and pop culture
Several prominent practitioners of internet art use Blingee as part of their practice or as an object of study, including Olia Lialina,[5] Lorna Mills,[6] and Mike Tyka.[7]
The album art for M.I.A.'s single "XXXO" is meant to be a visual reference to Blingee, and the music video for the song features several headshots of the rapper pictured among glittering floral graphics like those common on the site.
References
- ↑ McHugh, Molly. "Blingee Is Dead, Long Live Blingee" (in en-US). WIRED. https://www.wired.com/2015/08/rip-blingee/.
- ↑ "RIP Blingee: Here Are The Best, Worst Blingees of All Time" (in en-US). Co.Design. 2015-08-19. https://www.fastcodesign.com/3050036/rip-blingee-here-are-the-best-worst-blingees-of-all-time.
- ↑ "Blingee Lives On! - Forum Topic [p. 1 of 32 #1,108996 | Blingee.com"] (in en). http://blingee.com/group/1/topic/108996-Blingee-Lives-On.
- ↑ Hines, Ree. "Blingee's Back On! Glittery GIF Generator Is Reanimated By Fan Demand". Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/reehines/2015/08/19/blingees-back-on-glittery-gif-generator-is-reanimated-by-fan-demand/#308a612348fd.
- ↑ Estes, Adam Clark. "How To Rule On Blingee, According The 50-Year-Old Queen Of Blingee" (in en). https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/09/how-to-rule-on-blingee-according-the-50-year-old-queen-of-blingee/.
- ↑ "prosthetic knowledge — La petite mort du blingee Net Art event hosted at...". http://prostheticknowledge.tumblr.com/post/132173249771/la-petite-mort-du-blingee-net-art-event-hosted-at.
- ↑ Greenberger, Alex (2017-04-24). "At Seven on Seven Conference, Artists and Technologists Unite to Ponder Politics, Sexting, Fake News, and More" (in en-US). http://www.artnews.com/2017/04/24/at-seven-on-seven-conference-artists-and-technologists-unite-to-ponder-politics-sexting-fake-news-and-more/.
 |  |
