"Glitch Cowboy" reimagines the iconic cowboy figure through a queer lens, transforming a traditionally rugged archetype into a modern mythos that celebrates queerness. This interactive 3D piece delves into a revised cowboy imagery, inspired by how artists like Lil Nas X and Orville Peck have reshaped this symbol within queer pop culture.
Employing glitch art techniques, known for their resonance with queer and trans narratives due to their themes of erasure, ephemerality, and defiance, "Glitch Cowboy" embraces this aesthetic. The model's garments are textured with patterns and colors crafted through various glitch processes—such as analog video feedback, sonification, and creative coding—melding digital aberrations with the queer cowboy motif. This fusion aims to challenge perceptions of traditional cowboy imagery by inviting viewers to see this archetype in a new light.
Micah Alhadeff is a new media artist whose work explores themes related to the digital body, 3D fashion, and the limits of fantasy. He uses glitch processing techniques combined with 3D programming to texture the characters and environments he designs. Alhadeff’s work ranges from augmented reality pieces to video installations, and most recently game development using Unity game engine.
