Meriem Bennani, a New York-based artist known for her shape-shifting practice of videos, installations, and immersive environments, gained viral fame during the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020. She co-created the animated series '2 Lizards' with fellow artist Orian Barki, which depicted surreal, humorous conversations between anthropomorphic reptiles navigating the first weeks of the pandemic in New York City. The series, posted on Instagram, resonated widely and led to eight episodes. Bennani's broader work, including 'Life on the CAPS' (2018–2022) and 'Mission Teens' (2019), blends digital animation, live-action footage, and cultural critique, often exploring themes of diaspora, post-colonialism, and migration through dystopian, supernatural narratives.
This article matters because it highlights how a contemporary artist leveraged social media and digital tools to create timely, engaging art that captured a global moment of crisis and collective experience. Bennani's success underscores the growing intersection of visual art, popular culture, and online platforms, as well as the power of animation and humor to address complex political and social issues. Her work, exhibited at institutions like the Fondation Louis Vuitton, represents a new generation of artists who fluidly merge personal narrative with geopolitical commentary, making her a significant voice in contemporary art discourse.