Stray thoughts on social

I don't know what to make of these strange machines, and that's OK.

I’m not, ahem, a social-media power user. Should I be? I spend a fair amount of time on Instagram, but I don’t take it all that seriously. Post some art, like some stuff, make some comments, turn back to the actual work: a drawerful of scraps beside my workspace, a fresh sheet of paper ready to be transformed. 

Pre-2021, my Instagram account was purely personal – pictures of the kid, our menagerie of pets, places we visited. Then I had a medical emergency that left me more or less housebound, and I started posting the art I make, if only to have something to put out there. If only to ensure I’m still visible in some way, that I have a voice that can be heard.

Two years on, I’m coping better with my condition and limitations, but my feed remains all collage; I’m something more than a hobbyist but less than a professional. That has, oddly enough, allowed me freedom and flexibility: I’m not trying to make money from my art, and so changes in reach or engagement on social media aren’t, at the end of the day, that big of a deal for me. 

“the stuff of life (i)” — was very happy with this piece, so naturally it got 1/3 of the likes of my usual work

I have noticed, in the past month or so, that something feels different on Instagram. But I can’t put my finger on what. Are algorithm tweaks “hiding” some of my work? Did I do something that got my account “shadowbanned”? Or (gulp) is my stuff just … less good than it used to be?

(Let’s shut that last one down right quick. Friends, if you have those thoughts, put them out of mind! Art is subjective, the work is the work, and the only way to get better is to keep doing it. Set your own standards for satisfaction; the rest is noise.) 

And I’m not the only one noticing. I’ve seen a few folks talk about stepping back because their work isn’t resonating, and this is often framed around a drop in likes, comments, or shares. I’ve also chatted with a couple artists convinced their work has been suppressed somehow, because they inadvertently made art that violated community standards or used too many hashtags, etc. I may not rely on social platforms for income, but at least some artists do; there are very real implications if, all of a sudden, art directors can’t find their work or students can’t find their classes. 

My guess is that whatever we’re observing is less about intentionally alienating a loyal user base and more about, well, everything else happening in the world. Inflation and macroeconomic uncertainty; tech layoffs; the rapid rise of consumer-facing generative AI. To put it plainly, social-media platforms need to increase revenue, and my tatty mildewed paper experiments probably won’t help them all that much. 

There’s always been some tension between art and technology. I don’t purport to know the answers to the issues at hand – I don’t even think we’re asking all the right questions, at this point. There’s lots happening, and new developments nearly every day. Look no further than the plan to grant “official” verification badges to users that subscribe for ~$10 a month; benefits of getting verified include “increased visibility in areas such as search and recommendations,” among other things. That … may not bode well for those of us who choose not to opt in.

I suppose that’s a long-winded way of saying: If you’ve been struggling with how you show up on social media, or puzzling through why it’s seemed weird lately, you’re not alone. Don’t lose hope. Just keep doing the work. Hands in motion, heart engaged.

Because, after all, we’re not making art for the likes. We’re doing it for the love of it: sharp scissors, old paper, new meaning, new life. 

snippet from “the stuff of life (ii)” — analog collage, Torea Frey

Art stuff

• COLLAGE FOR A CAUSE: Want to make some art and spread kindness? There are a lot of World Collage Day calls for art out, but one from the Georgetown Lombardi Arts and Humanities Program at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital might be my favorite. Send a 4x4 inch collage to the hospital, and the donated work will go to a caregiver, family member, or staffer. The deadline is May 10; get to making! 

• DEEP COVER: There are lots of collage collectives and communities; the Special Agent Collage Collective is among my favorites. I’m always inspired to try new things when new prompts are released, and there’s a lineup of great 2023 challenges ahead. Maybe you want to join in the fun? The next one asks for a monochrome collage; my wheels are already turning. 

Ephemeral thoughts

A few random bits and bobs:

• WATCH: I wish all my popcorn was popped by a tiny skeleton dude. Until then, this charming stop-motion re-creation will have to do.

• DRINK IT IN: Collage is everywhere, even on summery glassware. These are just too pretty not to share.

• LISTEN: Grace Petrie’s “Black Tie” (2018) is poppy and upbeat and also performs the near-impossible feat of rhyming “fucked ya” with “patriarchal structure,” and I am here for it. Here’s to all of us, figuring out what’s ours and who we want to share it with.