Rococo vs Instagram Influencers
Comparison between the Rococo the proliferation social media influencers. Are we living through a re-emergence of the rococo moment?
The Rococo art movement, which emerged in the 18th century, was known for its ornate and extravagant style, often depicting scenes of leisure and pleasure. The upper classes embraced the movement and used it to showcase their wealth and status. The ornate and frivolous natureof Rococo art can be seen as a reflection of the superficial desires of the time. It is characterized by a lighter, more playful, and ornate style that favors asymmetry, curved lines, pastel colors, and often erotic themes. One of the most iconic examplesof this style is Fragonard's painting "The Swing" (La Balançoire), which depicts a young woman on a swing, surrounded by lush greenery, and attended to by a gallant young man hiding in the bushes. The painting captures the essence of the Rococo movement, which focused on leisure, instant gratification, and escapism.
In modern society, the superficial desires of people are just as evident. Society hasa similar obsession with superficial and instant gratification, as seen in the proliferation of erotic content on social media. If not more so, with the rise of social media. The constant need to present an idealized version of oneself on platforms like Instagram has led to a culture of voyeurism, where people are constantly peeking into the lives of others. Travel influencers, in particular, have become popular on these platforms, with many sharing pictures of themselves in exotic locations, often in swings or other playful poses.
From influencer travel photos that depict a perfect and idealized life to the constant stream of sexualized images and videos that are easily accessible on platforms such as Instagram, social media has changed the nature of the content being consumed.In recent years, there has been a rise of "influencers," individuals who have gained a significant following on social media platforms and use this to promote products or ideas, with many influencers focusing on travel and lifestyle content. The superficiality of the content they share can be seen as a re-emergence of the superficial nature of the Rococo movement.
One of the most striking similarities between Fragonard's painting "The Swing" and influencer content on social media is the emphasis on youth and beauty. The young woman in Fragonard's painting is the epitome of youth and beauty, with her carefree expression and delicate features. Similarly, influencers on social media are often young and conventionally attractive and use this to their advantage in promoting products or ideas. The painting and influencer content emphasizes a lighthearted, carefree, and idealized lifestyle, which is meant to appeal to the viewer
The superficial nature of these photos is undeniable. They are often carefully curated to present an idealized version of the influencer's life, filled with luxury and adventure. This is similar to the way the elite of the Rococo era used art to showcase their wealth and status.
Moreover, both the painting and influencer content focus on escapism. For example, the young woman in the painting is shown swinging in a secluded, idyllic setting, far from the stresses of daily life. Similarly, influencer content often shows an idealized, curated version of the influencer's life, which provides an escape for the viewer from their reality. In both cases, the audience is presented with a fantasy world detached from reality and invites them to indulge in it and be part of it.
Additionally, the act of voyeurism is present in both the painting and influencer content. For example, the young man hiding in the bushes in Fragonard's painting is watching the young woman on the swing, giving the viewer a glimpse into a private moment. Similarly, influencer content provides viewers a window into the influencer's personal life, giving the audience a sense of familiarity and intimacy with the influencer. This voyeuristic aspect of the painting and influencer content makes them so appealing and addictive.
Although some similarities can be observed, we are not living in a re-emergence of the rococo moment. On the contrary, Rococo was a product of its time, reflecting the societal and cultural norms of 18th-century France. At the same time, the superficial nature of social media content is a product of the present day and reflects the societal values of our time, such as consumerism and materialism; there are numerous nuanced differences between the two eras.It's also important to note that Social media influencer culture is not a product of a single time or place, but rather a global phenomenon. Its spread over the internet and availability to a worldwide audience make it different from the art movements limited to a specific geography and time.
Another difference between the two is the level of superficiality. The Rococo era was characterized by an obsession with the superficial, the frivolous and the extravagant. This can be seen in the ornate decoration and playful themes of the art produced during this time. In contrast, social media is filled with an idealized, unrealistic, and unattainable version of reality. People present a curated version of their lives, often portraying themselves in the best possible light. This has led to an obsession with the superficial and has created a culture where people constantly compare their lives to the idealized versions they see on social media.
While the Rococo era was enjoyed by the elite, social media is accessible to everyone, regardless of their social status. This has led to a democratization of superficiality, where everyone has the opportunity to present an idealized version of themselves. Additionally, while the Rococo era was limited to the elite, social media has the ability to reach a global audience, making the desire for superficiality even more widespread.Furthermore, the voyeurism aspect of social media allows people to present their idealized lives and constantly observe other people's idealized lives, creating a cycle of comparison and self-doubt. This is absent in the Rococo era, where people only had the chance to observe the lives of the elite in the paintings. One could argue that there are similarities between the erotic themes in Rococo art and the sexualized content on social media. Both are a form of voyeurism, allowing the viewer to glimpse into a world of pleasure and indulgence that is often out of reach for the average person. In the case of Rococo art, it was a way for the elite to showcase their wealth and power, while on social media, it is a way for individuals to present a curated and idealized version of themselves.
In conclusion, while the Rococo movement and modern-day social media both reflect a desire for superficiality, they differ in their accessibility and consumption. Social media has democratized superficiality and added the aspect of voyeurism, making it a more pervasive and all-encompassing phenomenon than it was in the 18th century.The superficial and instant gratification attitudes of the rococo era can be seen as a reflection of the attitudes of today's society. However, how these attitudes are expressed are a product of the constant comparison and validation-seeking that social media encourages.