Viral Hoaxes as Art

Gallery Sells Prints of $999.99 iPhone App

We've seen this image before, when Armin Heinrich swindled a handful of rich folks into shilling out $999.99 for the non-functioning, useless I Am Rich iPhone app. The app was taken down by iTunes, but not before Heinrich made a few bucks for himself off of it.

Now the I Am Rich app has been reborn, as a framed print sold in a gallery in Hamburg, Germany. According to Valleywag, Hamburg is a port city that is home to more millionaires per capita than any other city in Germany. One of the purchasers of the original I Am Rich iPhone app lived in Hamburg. Wonder if he'll bite at this hoax too.

Viral Hoaxes
Creating viral hoaxes to generate buzz and interest among consumers.
Art as Commentary
Using art as a medium to comment on societal issues and provoke discussion.
Reimaging Useless Products
Transforming useless or obsolete products into novelty art pieces with monetary value.

Sectors Adopting This

Art
Art industry could look into incorporating technology and pop culture elements into their works.
Technology
Technology industry could explore creating more tongue-in-cheek products that generate buzz through viral hoaxes.
Marketing
Marketing industry could utilize viral hoaxes to create buzz and generate interest around products or companies.
SCORE
4.7 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America, Europe, Asia
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 64%
Activity 70%
Freshness 8%

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