art for instagram
The first time I vocalized my idea to take a year away from my personal social media,
I was at this restaurant with a happy hour that goes until 6:30, not 6.
“I’ve been thinking about taking a year away from social,” I said. His eyes widened a bit.
“Oh, wow,” he said. “A year is a long time.”
“Yeah, and it would be Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok. I’ll keep LinkedIn. I haven’t decided on BeReal yet. And I mean, if I need to sell stuff on Facebook marketplace, that’s one thing. But I’m really serious about not checking my home feeds or direct messages at all.”
“Are you going to define parameters? Like, if someone texted you a link to a TikTok, would you watch it? Like in Safari?”
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“Oh, sure. I won’t be that strict. Something like that is more of a real one-to-one social connection, though. It’s kind of like how I’ll watch TV with you because it’s spending time with you, but I would almost never choose to watch TV if I’m just by myself. I’ve thought about making a written list of official rules, but that seems too rigid.”
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“Well, I think you should do it.”
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"The more I think about it, the more my resolve grows. It's perfect that it would include all major holidays, everyone’s birthdays, and both of the weddings that I’m in this year. Plus, it gives me time to think about what I want to do with social media…because, like, I could be dramatic and delete all of my accounts right now, but I have a feeling I would regret that later. Honestly, I’m kind of thinking of it as an artist residency. But instead of having to put together this whole application to go to a fancy camp in the woods somewhere, I can just decide to do it right now. No official acceptance letter necessary.”
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“I think it would be really good for you,” he said with a smile.
“I think I can do it…but who am I kidding, I’ll definitely need to keep BeReal.”
who am i?
My name is Audrey Allen.
​​I am an artist and a writer and a director and a performer. I grew up in the suburbs of Kansas City, Missouri—the literal middle of America. When I was a child, my dad built me a stage in the basement of our house. He used plywood and PVC pipe and spray-painted it black and hung up a navy blue shower curtain with gold stars. I directed my brother and various friends and cousins in countless dances, plays, and magic shows over the years.
what do i know about social media?
I have had a public social media presence since 2008, when I was 12 years old.
I am part of the generation of zillennials (not quite old enough to be millennials, not quite young enough to be Gen-Z) who were introduced to modern social media at puberty. I have a BFA in Studio Art from Oklahoma State University, where I focused in printmaking and community-engaged art. Since graduating in 2019, I have worked in program and event planning for an arts nonprofit organization, account management for a digital marketing agency, and social media management for public health.
who is the intended audience?
who is the "you"
in this sentence?
Now this is an interesting question. Because if Instagram is a fictional character born of my own mind...
That makes you the audience. You are sitting in a digital theater, and I am the performer on stage.
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The way I was taught marketing, the strongest copy is written for one ideal audience member. I am supposed to imagine this person in as much detail as possible for my message to resonate clearly and authentically.
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The way I was taught art, there is a difference between creating "just for me" versus creating something to be on display for other people. If this project were truly just for me, it would stay in my bedroom, and I wouldn't ask you to look at it.
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Right?
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Right. And yet at the same time, wrong. I spent many hours writing and filming and creating primarily with you in mind. I also spent many hours writing and filming and creating primarily with myself in mind. That makes this art "for Instagram"...for both of us.