Emma Stern

Complex Gods

- Kristin Farr

Lava Babies are an amalgamation of Emma Stern’s psyche,the construction of powerful figuration and her deep research and exploration of the trajectory of World Building over time. Lava Babies are a proposition, a statement that speaks to contemporary experience and obliterates the line between virtuality and reality. The following interview was conducted while riding jet-skis through international waters to avoid maritime law. The artist has recently predicted a few pop culture renaissance moments through a secret formula that capitalist execs would kill for, so we had to steer clear of prying ears.

Kristin Farr: Tell me how the internet impacted your development as an artist and person.

Emma Stern: More than anything, the internet has given me, and everyone else who uses it, a plethora of visual vocabularies to plunder and borrow from. I am obviously extremely influenced by the aesthetics and tropes of so many niche micro-communities of furries, 3D erotica, and various fandoms, for example, which I would likely never have come into contact with were it not for the fact that I am very much online.

I will say though, my bookmarked tabs and search history is bonkers. My assigned NSA agent is probably very concerned.

Who is Amber?