VÄPbased

VÄPbased is a term that emerged within certain online communities, particularly those discussing digital art and internet culture. It is generally understood to refer to a style of artwork that incorporates elements of the vaporwave aesthetic. Vaporwave itself is a microgenre of electronic music and an art movement that emerged in the early 2010s. Key characteristics of vaporwave art include the use of retro computer graphics, classical sculpture imagery, early internet aesthetics, glitch art, Japanese characters, and a general sense of nostalgia and critique of consumerism.

VÄPbased art, therefore, tends to borrow these visual cues. This might manifest as imagery with a retro-futuristic feel, often employing pastel color palettes, distorted or pixelated graphics, and themes that evoke a bygone digital era. The "based" portion of the term is internet slang, often used to signify agreement or approval, or to describe something as authentic or unashamedly itself, sometimes with a touch of irony. When combined, VÄPbased suggests an appreciation for or creation of art that strongly embodies the vaporwave aesthetic, perhaps with a playful or self-aware attitude towards its stylistic conventions. The exact interpretation and usage can vary among different online groups.