I find it reassuring when Google misrecognises us

‘This Hideous Insert’ publication was produced during and in response to the ‘This Hideous Replica’ exhibition at RMIT Gallery 23 Aug 2024 - 16 Oct 2024. Melody Ellis was invited to curate a group of writers to join her in residence at RMIT Gallery where each writer wrote with and alongside the artworks in the exhibition. The collective of writers named cheerleading is without spirit (an anagram of writing this Hideous Replica) included Melody Ellis, Aaron Billings, Zara Gudnason, Jenny Hedley, Timothy Loveday, Benedicte O’Leary-Rutherford, Susan-Elin Solimani and Beau Windon. I find it reassuring when Google misrecognises us was written in response to the themes of the exhibition which ‘adopted monstrous replication as a tactic, condition and curatorial framework for exploring algorithmic culture, simultaneously alienating, seductive and out-of-control’ (Stern and Dockray, 2024). I find it reassuring when Google misrecognises us is a creative-critical fragmented essay about digital doppelgangers and navigating an increasingly digitised world.<p></p>