Since their creation in 1987, Gifs have played a vital role in shaping online culture. From looping animations on early web pages to reaction memes that defined the early (and ongoing) days of social media, GIFs have evolved into a global shorthand for humor, emotion, and storytelling. What began as a technical file format became one of the internet’s most enduring creative tools.
Photo by Madison Jean
Photo by Madison Jean
Nearly 40 years later, the evolution of GIFs has been remarkable. On September 5th, in honor of National GIF Day, GIPHY unveiled the GIPHY Gallery, a curated, virtual exhibition of over 250 original GIFs created by 75+ artists. The collection, produced in collaboration with digital artist and Museum of Modern GIFs (MoMG) founder Daniel Murray, blends early internet nostalgia with modern creativity, positioning GIFs as a legitimate artistic medium.
The launch was marked with a one-night-only immersive celebration at SoHo’s Lume Studios, where guests previewed the full digital gallery in an interactive environment. Guests were welcomed into a multi-sensory space where walls came alive with looping animations, transforming the venue into a living museum of internet culture. The immersive panel of GIFs lit up the studio, with highlights including Sholim’s surrealist nod to the 90s, Aleksey Efremov’s steampunk-inspired visions, and Sam Rolfe’s futuristic digital landscapes.
Photo by Madison Jean
Photo by Madison Jean
Specialty cocktails were while trivia stations tested guests’ knowledge of GIF lore, from the very first GIF (a pixelated airplane in 1987) to the most shared looping reactions of the social media era. Guests were also treated to super fun photo moments designed to make everyone feel like they had just stepped out of a GIF themselves.
The GIPHY Gallery not only highlights the diversity of contemporary GIF artists, featuring works like Sholim’s surreal 90s-inspired creations, Aleksey Efremov’s steampunk visuals, and Sam Rolfe’s futuristic designs, but also underscores the importance of preserving digital culture. By collaborating with MoMG, which houses nearly 100,000 GIFs once at risk of disappearing, GIPHY is both archiving history and pushing the medium forward.