Self-Voyeur, Venice, CA 2018
self-voyeur (noun) a person who is both the observer and the object of the observer
that has a self-indulgent obsession with his/her own self-image.
that has a self-indulgent obsession with his/her own self-image.
Self-Voyeur, a
Site-Specific, Site-Responsive Post-Internet environment, offers a behind the scenes perspective on an Instagram influencer. This
body of work explores the pursuit of fame and fortune via the development and production of the image of self-an
individual’s obsession with her own image, responding to the societal obsession
with the image of other, and the marketing and promotion of said image as a
personal brand in order to monetize.
In
this environment, the performance exists in both the physical and virtual
space. The juxtaposition of these
spaces represents the dichotomy of the influencer’s existence. The performance is not scripted, it is
responsive. It is automediality,
which can be described as a form of autobiography through media, in real
time, shaped by the media outlets utilized (see below for more information).
The
physical space is a social media engagement opportunity come to life. The space in which the installation resides becomes the secondary character in the
performance, inviting
the the viewer to immerse themselves in a three dimensional image of
self that reflects a more complete picture of who the influencer is. The digital art, videos, GIFs, and other artwork
surrounding the social media personality reflect the issues that have arisen as
a result of her focus on monetizing her image of self. Some of the works are very private
and personal, hold memory and meaning, are autobiographical and are parts of
the influencer that she would never share on the Internet. Others reflect her absorption with her self-image, confront the reality
of living as an image, and reveal the issues that have arisen as a result of
her focus on monetizing her image. By observing the influencer in her domain,
the art show attendees, in effect, become the voyeurs of the Self-Voyeur in
action.
Self-Voyeur simultaneously
resides in the virtual space, which is the public face of the social media influencer’s
brand. Throughout the performance, the artist will be taking selfies and other
images, posting to Instagram, Instagram Live and Instagram Stories. This allows
the online following to participate as Observer to the performance as well.
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Photography by Mido Lee Productions
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