The Road Less Liked: The Digital Dilemma Faced by Artists
In the realm of creative expression, the journey from personal fulfillment to seeking external validation has been a nuanced evolution for many artists. The advent of social media platforms, initially hailed as a means of connecting with peers and showcasing individual creativity, has brought about a transformative shift in the way many artists perceive and present their work.
The evolution of photography, once a deeply personal exploration driven by the desire to communicate external or internal stories visually, has transformed for many into the pursuit of likes and social validation has taken precedence over genuine creative joy. Social media, touted as connecting like-minded individuals, paradoxically caters to the masses, favoring easily digestible content and sidelining intricate, thought-provoking creations. The platform's appetite for instant gratification inadvertently risks stifling the evolution of artistic expression, particularly as artists embrace more profound narratives and cohesive series that extend beyond the constraints of a single captivating image amongst a vertical feed.
The dwindling number of likes on social media can be seen not as a decline but as a signal of artistic growth. The platforms that once served as a stage for widespread appreciation may no longer align with the depth and sophistication of the artist's current work. This isn't a diminishment of the audience's appreciation but rather an indication that the artist is evolving beyond that audience and the limitations of mass-oriented platforms.
The realization dawns that a narrative or series-based approach, requiring time and engagement, may not find its ideal home in the scrolling feeds of social media. The artist's work now demands an environment that allows for uninterrupted contemplation, a space where the audience can connect with the story on a more profound or intimidate level.
The quest for alternative mediums becomes imperative as books, galleries, and personal websites emerge as canvases where artists can curate immersive experiences for their audience. The controlled environment of a gallery wall or the sequential flow of a book fosters a deeper exploration of narrative, free from the distractions inherent in the digital realm. In this evolution, the artist's audience undergoes a transformation. The diminishing likes on social media signify not a loss but a transition, as the artist moves away from a broad audience to attract a more selective and educated one — individuals appreciating the nuances and complexities woven into the evolving narrative details a limited number of pixels could never show.
In conclusion, the artist's journey through the digital landscape is a nuanced interplay of personal evolution, shifting artistic goals, and the pursuit of an audience valuing depth over immediacy. The artist's departure from social media is not a rejection but a recalibration — a deliberate choice to seek environments honouring the intricate storytelling and refined expression characterising their current body of work. As both artists and audiences mature, the pursuit of meaningful connection takes precedence over the transient pursuit of likes
