The Museum of Selfies set to open in Los Angeles

The Museum of Selfies is set to open in Los Angeles in April 2018 for a limited run to explore the history and psychology of the pervasive selfie. Following in the footsteps of the Saatchi Gallery, which put on the world’s first major selfie exhibition last year, The Museum of Selfies will display and examine a variety of self-portraits through the years.

The exhibition will be divided into a number of different sections. One part will trace the evolution of the selfie, from prehistoric art dating 40,000 years old to Paris Hilton’s self-proclaimed “invention” of the selfie in 2006. An area of the museum will be handed over to contemporary artists who have made selfie-inspired art to showcase their work. There is also a whole section devoted to “the art of the narcissist”. The museum has even dedicated a space to explore the psychology of “extreme” selfie-taking due to an increase in selfie-related deaths. The museum has also included a number of photo opportunities for selfie enthusiasts to photograph themselves on pretend skyscrapers and with super-sized food.

Tickets are priced at $25. On its website, The Museum of Selfies states: “Visitors can explore the origin of the selfie through the lens of art, history, technology, and culture while taking some cool selfies of their own with our interactive installations. The museum promises to share the unseen depths and history of this cultural phenomenon. Whether you love them or hate them, you won’t see selfies the same way again.” The gallery does, however, have a clear social aim, hoping to prompt visitors to consider and reflect on the reasons behind the selfie’s popularity.