Queer Workings of Digital Affect: The Hypermediated Body of Conchita Wurst
Abstract
This paper explores the internet hype surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest victory of Austrian drag artist Tom Neuwirth/Conchita Wurst in Copenhagen, 2014. In particular, it looks at the resonating affective intensities that have shaped the circulation of Conchita’s body image on YouTube and Tumblr. Drawing from the interactive dynamics of these platforms, the (hyper-)mediated eventfulness of Conchita’s Eurovision will be examined as (1) derived from the anomalous entanglements of everyday media use, (2) transformed and transforming in its spread through a variety of viral memetic practices, and (3) characterized by both dominant and deviant articulations of visual social engagement. The complexly modulated queer workings of these entanglements will be argued to perform through networked and seriated dynamics of digital affect.
Keywords
Digital Affect, Virality, Visual Social Media, Eurovision, Conchita
Author Biography
Elena Pilipets
Elena Pilipets is University Assistant at the Department of Media and Communications, Alpen-Adria-University Klagenfurt, Austria. She studied cultural studies and media theory at Klagenfurt University where she currently works on her PhD project about affect and serialization in digital culture. Her research and teaching focus is on media/cultural studies, affective turn and actor-network theory.