A phenomenon called internet meme has gained quite a lot of popularity in the network. An internet meme refers to any information that is spontaneously created and spread in the network through simulation. There are many examples of such phenomena as memes in the World Wide Web.
One such example that has recently spread across various blogs, journals, forums and social networks is the meme called "crazy fox". This meme is fairly easy to recognize. The "crazy fox" is a stuffed fox sitting on a chair, looking ragged, with bulging eyes.
The author of this meme is Adele Morse from the UK. As Adele herself tells it, she created the stuffed fox for about a year by taxidermy. In this technology, animal skin is stretched over a certain foundation, and the cavity is filled with filler. This method is used in the manufacture of museum exhibits and storage of hunting trophies.
Adele claims that she is a vegetarian and that the stuffed fox was made from the corpse of an animal caught in a trap. The fox, Adele said, was the first fairly large animal-stuffed sculpture she had made after her smaller works. The appearance of the sculpture became worn due to the artist's mistakes. After the sculpture was completed, it remained in the box for about a year.
After some time, Adele sold her creation on eBay. The buyer was Michael Burmen. Soon, the fox was perceived as a popular internet meme. The name "crazy fox" originated from the resemblance to the stereotypical representation of alcoholics and, more often, drug addicts. The crazy fox also became the prototype of a stuffed toy with a note saying that this toy would be a good gift "for any occasion."
Photoshopped images of the fox skin sculpture spread across the internet. After a while, various exhibitions began to be organized in honor of the sculpture. Such exhibitions have become very popular in Russia. The author of the crazy fox sculpture continues to be amazed at such a stir caused by the fox in Russia. Some users explain this by the fact that Russians found their state of mind reflected in it — sad and drunk. Many dispute this assumption.
Adele herself notes that her life has changed with the growing popularity of her work. She made new friends, became popular, and visited various countries she never planned to visit.