Christina Aguilera? Reznor? 'iamamiwhoami' Baffles the Blogosphere
James Montgomery, a rock editor at MTV News who discovered the videos while scanning blogs, covered the story after a third video emerged. He rounded up the list of suspects, which included the band MGMT, Lady Gaga and Bjork, as well as more obvious picks like Trent Reznor (who has done this before) and Christina Aguilera (who seems to be the favorite). "I contacted her people and they told me it wasn't her," says Montgomery. "So I wrote my piece about how it 'wasn't Xina,' and then, all of a sudden, he/she/it started emailing me." The next video, accompanied by a funkier and more cheerful song, featured the painted girl again, up-close, with freakishly large eyes -- and was sent directly to Montgomery's e-mail. This time, it spelled "Mandragora."
The Net is aflame with speculation. Who has the capacity (and the money) to pull off such an elaborately planned viral campaign? What is with all of the black dogs and strawberries? And what does the number six mean (e.g., six animals, six videos, six graves)? Montgomery has told us that Xtina's camp has fervently denied her involvement, but that doesn't exclude her entirely. What might, however, is the music, which sounds more similar to newer electronic music from artists like Goldfrapp and Lykke Li. His dark horse is the collective Crystal Castles. We personally think this reeks of Reznor, although the Xtina camp is convincing.
"Seriously, this is why this is probably the best viral campaign ever: No one has been able to solve it," Montgomery expounds. "It's been going on and on, at its own languid pace, and people just keep getting more hooked." The music sounds Scandinavian, like The Knife or Mum. The first, fifth and sixth video are beautiful, if not terrifying. Also, this certainly isn't Lady Gaga. The puzzle, to us, at least, is clear: solve the codex, solve the mystery. And, let us know, because we're beginning to lose sleep over it.
"Seriously, this is why this is probably the best viral campaign ever: No one has been able to solve it," Montgomery expounds. "It's been going on and on, at its own languid pace, and people just keep getting more hooked." The music sounds Scandinavian, like The Knife or Mum. The first, fifth and sixth video are beautiful, if not terrifying. Also, this certainly isn't Lady Gaga. The puzzle, to us, at least, is clear: solve the codex, solve the mystery. And, let us know, because we're beginning to lose sleep over it.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Nephelim said 4:25PM on 3-09-2010
I doubt I'm the first, but this is remarkably like the plot line in Gibson's "Pattern Recognition"
To be fair, I don't think that lessens the coolness factor of this at all... and for some reason, the name Mora is REALLY creepy to me.
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Nephelim said 4:27PM on 3-09-2010
That was supposed to say "Mandragora" not "Mora" ...
Leila Brillson said 4:28PM on 3-09-2010
I was about to say, "MORA! HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THAT!?" Is newer Gibson good? I've never read.
Thomas Houston said 4:37PM on 3-09-2010
@nephelim first thing that came to mind here, too. Well worth checking out "Pattern Recognition," though still haven't gotten around to "Spook Country."
Kelly said 9:11PM on 3-10-2010
Cool. I know nothing of this tech or scand. music but this a technological tour de force. Good job whoever.
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ReGee said 9:13PM on 3-10-2010
No one has mentioned Shakira in all this? Sure looks and sounds like something she would do....
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LC said 9:46PM on 3-10-2010
Why would Shakira come to mind?
demzieademu said 9:44PM on 3-10-2010
this reminds me very much so of old school Manson. the music, the videos, the symbols.....everything. although i doubt it is...
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seeyl8rg8r said 9:44PM on 3-10-2010
Lady Gaga... the only one eerie enough to pull this off
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Mistypoint said 10:25PM on 3-10-2010
Check out the dentition of the bottom teeth. Looks like Christina Aguilara to me.
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Faith said 10:39PM on 3-10-2010
Karin Dreijer Andersson! She's Swedish, involved in electronic music and her videos are tripy!
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goddesst said 10:46PM on 3-10-2010
IT IS LADY GAGA....Xina has blue eyes......the eyes of the reborn creature are brown.....Xina has straight teeth.....those are Lady GaGa's teeth. Simply facial recognition patterns say it is Gaga. Even the way the lips move!!
Great videos, great article!
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graciiegorejus said 10:48PM on 3-10-2010
To me it really reminds me of something I would see from MGMT, yah there guys but they do things pretty out there like that, i also bet she is a unsigned artist and this is a way to get her music which is probably underground some were noticed. I know if i was gonna become a artist, I would want something very artistic and a surrealists video out, I just really cant wait to see wjat becomes of these videos though
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Brad said 10:59PM on 3-10-2010
reminiscent of Poe
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Laura said 1:39AM on 3-11-2010
Funny that you mention Poe, because the videos scream "House of Leaves" to me, and she released a CD that was inspired by her brother's book. I just watched all six videos for the 1st time two minutes ago and that was my impression EXACTLY - and with all Mark Danielewski's symbolism and cryptic code, it totally fits.
Chris said 11:34PM on 3-10-2010
It's GOBBLE. Goat, Owl, Blue whale, Bumble bee, Llama, and Emperor tamarin.
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Mike said 12:26AM on 3-11-2010
The bite pattern, especially the lower teeth match Lykke Li very closely. I think that is the winner. Here is a link someone else posted. http://the-hidden.com/iamamiwhoami_lykke_li.jpg
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mandys said 12:35AM on 3-11-2010
totally!!!
Laura said 2:04AM on 3-12-2010
Those teeth are very convincing...hmmmmmmm.
fivemillion said 11:56AM on 3-11-2010
you totallyt nailed it!