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Episode page and full transcript: lerandom.art/episodes/maya-man-and-ann-hirsch
In this long-anticipated episode, host Peter Bauman (Monk Antony, Le Random's editor in chief) speaks with one of the most exciting duos in contemporary digital culture, Ann Hirsch (lerandom.art/subjects/ann-hirsch) and Maya Man (lerandom.art/subjects/maya-man). They cover their collaborative projects, Ugly Bitches and Little Darlings, which explore online gender performativity.
We discuss the works in relation to the so-called "vibe shift" of the 2020s. The artists also discuss how their work, often using GANs and other AI technologies, counteracts the "girl boss" rhetoric of early 2020s NFT projects by presenting a more flawed, nuanced, and sincere depiction of both femininity and masculinity.
They detail how UB uses intentionally distorted AI dolls to comment on female failure, while LD employs shinier AI imagery to critique the "hustle grind gain success" male influencer culture. Finally, the conversation touches upon their admiration for, and points of departure from, the "Gay NFT" or Avant Schizocollage scene, with the artists expressing an interest in "ironic sincerity" in their work.
Monday's Editorial with Jess Tucker: lerandom.art/editorial/jess-tucker-on-longing-…
Also in this episode: Feral File (lerandom.art/subjects/feral-file)
Read next: Maya Man on Generative Meaning (lerandom.art/editorial/maya-man-on-generative-…)
Listen next: Ep. 28, Jared Madere on Yeche Lange, VVV & the Solana Avant Scene's Impact—with Peter Bauman & Conrad House (lerandom.art/episodes/jared-madere-on-yeche-la…), Ep. 27, Reviewing Digital Art in 3Q 2025 (lerandom.art/episodes/reviewing-digital-art-in…)
On the Living Timeline: One Of Us Is Real And It’s Not You at Galerie Yeche Lange (2025) (timeline.lerandom.art/m/one-of-us-is-real-and-…)
Chapters 📖:
Introduction
How did Ann and Maya meet?
Why did they make it together?
What's wrong with women-centric NFTs?
Why reject the idealization of women?
What is the vibe shift?
Why not 'all women are beautiful'?
How did they train the AI?
What is Solana's 'gay NFT' scene?
Why is this hard to capture in code?
What does HashLips actually do?
Sincere or ironic?
Why do internet scenes feel boy-coded?
Is Annie a response to insincerity?
How does Annie treat coming of age?
Where does Ugly Bitches go next?
What is Maya's StarQuest?
Closing Thoughts
