The Story of Emoji told with <3 by Gavin Lucas

Today at KK Outlet in London a new exhibition opens that charts the story of the emoji, curated by Gavin Lucas coincides with the publication of his book of the same name. The cultural relevance of these ubiquitous “communication enhancers” was cemented last year when the Oxford English Dictionary selected Face with Tears of Joy as the “word that best reflected the ethos, mood, and preoccupations of 2015.”

The exhibition gathers images from Gavin’s book, designed by FL@33, that reveal the history of the tiny images and the evolution of writing with pictorial symbols which is enjoying a renaissance in an age where digital communication reigns. Beyond the screen, the book and exhibition document how emojis have influenced the worlds of fashion, advertising and art.

On show will be new work by the likes of Noma Bar, Crispin Finn, Mr Bingo, FL@33, Friso Blankevoort, Hey Studio, Rob Flowers, Serge Seidlitz, and Julian Morey.

The Story of Emoji is at KK outlet from 5 – 16 April.