PROJECT 1v6

Instagram Comments Project

Voices of Connection: AMS is a collaborative initiative that amplifies the voices of vulnerable individuals across Amsterdam, giving them a platform to share their stories and perspectives. Through a series of creative sub-projects, including photography, audio, and storytelling, the aim is to break down the barriers of misunderstanding and shed light on the disparity between those living on the margins and the rest of society. By placing the tools of storytelling directly into the hands of participants, Voices of Connection humanizes their experiences and brings their often-overlooked realities to the forefront.

One of these sub-projects is the Instagram Comments Project, where participants are invited to engage with the world of social media in a thought-provoking and unconventional way. In a society where appearance and curated images often dominate, this project highlights the stark contrast between digital life and reality. Participants will be asked to read aloud some of the most superficial or cringe-worthy Instagram comments and captions, taken from posts at the very location they currently find themselves in. These audio recordings will then be paired with the original Instagram images, which will be displayed on a screen.

The interactive installation is designed to highlight the distortions present in both the digital world and the real world. As viewers approach the screen, a sensor detects their distance. When no one is within 2 meters, the audio is completely drowned out by white noise. As viewers come closer-within 30 cm-the white noise gradually fades, allowing the participant’s voice to become audible. But as this happens, the Instagram image itself begins to distort, becoming increasingly pixelated and unrecognizable. The closer the viewer gets, the more abstract and distorted the image becomes, mirroring how both digital facades and the realities of vulnerable people are misunderstood or misrepresented.

This project forces viewers to confront the disparity between the curated, idealized world of social media and the raw, unfiltered realities of life for those living on the margins. It highlights how social media can create a barrier, preventing us from truly seeing the depth of real lives, while also drawing attention to how society tends to avoid engaging with vulnerable individuals, refusing to see the truth that exists just beneath the surface.

Ultimately, the Instagram Comments Project challenges us to rethink how we engage with both digital and physical spaces, questioning the layers of distance we create between ourselves and the realities of others-whether through a screen or in the streets: