Archive: Pop devotion meets cute

The Process: Archive invites artists from our cultural programme and artist community to reflect on different works from the sonic archives and podcasts of Somerset House – from talks to soundscapes, performance to composition.

In this episode, we deep dive into the transformative power of cute, exploring what happens when shrines and pop devotion intersect with the irresistible force of cuteness.

Dot Alma is an artist from Greater Manchester, and is known for a touring shrine dedicated to George Michael, which is featured as part of the Holy Pop! Exhibition exploring how we idolise pop stars, cult icons, and even fictional characters have become a modern form of devotion.

The former Wham! singer who died on Christmas Day in 2016. For Dot, this devotion deepened rather than faded after his death, taking on a spiritual quality that helps them explore identity and connection. Having navigated uncertain teenage years before finding peace with their identity in their twenties, Dot now lives a life of queer freedom and sees George Michael, revered by many as a queer folk-saint figure, as a model of positive queer masculinity.

Dot shares what excites them about the world-building potential of pop culture, as we revisit the 2024 Process episode, Felt Cute, Might Shapeshift Later, with artist and musician Hannah Diamond.