By Sara Barnes
In the age of social media, how we interact with art is constantly being redefined for our increasingly connected world. Museum Snapchats and memes have people reimagining paintings and sculptures as if they existed in our world, with both brilliant and silly results. The Google Arts and Culture app is one of the latest ways that you can enjoy art history through technology. The app, though launching in 2016, has recently released a new feature that pairs your selfie with an art doppelgänger.
The app is extremely simple to use. Once downloaded, you are prompted to snap a selfie. After that’s done, you’re matched with several paintings, in a variety of artistic styles, that have an essence of your looks. Some of the picks are extremely flattering. Others, not so much—but these ridiculous comparisons are a big part of the app’s fun. (And all the more reason to share on social media.)
So, how does Google find your match? The app uses automated image analysis to compare the similarities in your face to thousands of works of art that are shared with Google by museums and institutions around the world. And once you’ve exhausted yourself of selfies, check out the rest of the Google Arts and Culture app; through it, you can do things like zoom in on amazing masterpieces to see all of their incredible details.
Are you a Mona Lisa? Or a van Gogh? Find out with the Google Arts and Culture app.
The app will match anyone with their art doppelgänger. Celebrities have even tried it!
Musician Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy:
This google arts and culture app is pretty amazing. Feel real strong about my 40% 😳 pic.twitter.com/2iyexRkUG5
— pw (@petewentz) January 14, 2018
Actor Kumail Nanjiani:
Hey this one ain’t so bad. pic.twitter.com/er0FxZNVO8
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) January 13, 2018
As well as many, many more people across the internet.
What you talkin’ bout Willis. pic.twitter.com/e8kykWIv0s
— Chris Jones (@AtChrisJones) January 14, 2018
I’m pulling the hell out of that pretzel pic.twitter.com/RRZVtgmdWj
— Pope Benedict’s Twin (@Moosigoosi) January 14, 2018
Just got owned by Google Arts and Culture app. pic.twitter.com/RTQCPQ3AR1
— Adam The Greatest C.P.A. Morris (@aimorris) January 13, 2018
Google Arts and Culture App comin’ in with a sick burn pic.twitter.com/6dzeW8ZUFL
— Heather (@hdoggg69) January 12, 2018
Google Arts and Culture: Website
