Russian Artist Sums Up What Instagram Is All About (6 Pics) | Bored Panda
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Russian Artist Sums Up What Instagram Is All About (6 Pics)
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Russian Artist Sums Up What Instagram Is All About (6 Pics)

If you use Instagram regularly, you are probably familiar with the scenario. Someone has traveled to a scenic place, let’s say Rome. They want to show their followers all the beautiful sights in the eternal city – The Vatican, The Spanish Steps, The Colosseum.

But do they, really?

Usually traveling together with a long-suffering friend (who is mostly there to be a personal photographer), they faithfully tour the well-trodden path, looking not for historical and cultural inspiration but something far more important: a photo opportunity.

They are feeling cute today!

First stop – The Colosseum. Carefully positioned to ensure that other people cannot be seen in the picture (it’s important to give the impression that this well-known tourist trap was just ‘discovered’ by the influencer), instructions are barked out to the ‘friend’ with a scowl. “Take it from a lower angle, my legs look longer that way!”

Then, in an instant, the sudden transformation to pose – sultry eyes, lips protruding, butt out. Cheese!

And so this ancient and atmospheric amphitheater – once used for savage gladiatorial contests at the height of the Roman Empire – is relegated to background fodder; a mere prop used to amplify yet another inane, formulaic photo of a yawningly uninteresting person.

A quick glance of many an ‘influencer’ account shows a similar pattern – most of the photos are just elaborate excuses to show off a pert butt, or a cute smile.

Enter Russian artist Anton Gudim, a master of satirical comics that highlight absurdity and dark humor wherever he sees it. Instagram is a rich source of ridiculousness, so it is natural that he would turn his gaze here to make fun of something that we have accepted as normal.

“It’s based on my own experience, I’ve seen millions of photos like this on Instagram,” Anton told Bored Panda. “It’s not my intention to provide social commentary on the shallow and narcissistic habits of the modern world, that’s for the reader to decide with their own interpretation.”

“My comics are just a way to discover the depths of my imagination,” he continued. “I’m glad that they can inspire and entertain other people. I am not out to make people laugh, but I do believe that it’s important for artists to add a little humor into their works.”

What do you think? Is there some truth in these sarcastic portraits of narcissism? Why do some people feel the need to constantly flaunt their butts online? Is it driven by self-confidence… or insecurity? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Here’s what people had to say about the satirical comics

Image credits: ImerM1

Image credits: RiqueOWL

Image credits: DmtGallardo

Image credits: _andi_rizal_

Image credits: Biscoito

Image credits: Mandy_Kerr

Image credits: wxtchcraft

Image credits: h_o_ll_o_w

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Biljana Malesevic
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am really sick of looking women posing seductively in every single page I open, not just Instagram (deleted account long time ago). Is that all we are for? To be just decorations, to be worth and appreciated based on how sexy we are? Then society is shocked because young girls have eating disorders and women over 30 are having botox and multiple estetic surgeries. We should be more that just "booties" and legs, and sensual looks.

Bob Beltcher
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes you all should be more than that. Unfortunately, when you have people like the Kardashian's being considered as icons, it's difficult to get past that. For every Me Too movement and LGBTQIA march, there's 1,000 women trying to be more like the Kardashian's.

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William Teach
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Astronomy to asstronomy" Loved that one. It's all about the narcissism.

Si
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

This comment has been deleted.

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Marc
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, in the end it is an image of our society. People are judged by their looks and not by their actions. You can be good at your job, can do good besides work, and still someone that looks like a model, but doing nothing, can get all the recognition. This haven't been any different the last 20, 30, maybe 40 years, maybe ever, and seeing what is happening on Instagram and others, is just continuation of what is happening in "real" life. People choose to follow "influencers" just because they are looking good and visit nice places. And they think that this is normal, despite the fact, that most of it is fake, a lie and photoshoped. Instagram got so famous, because people are able to self-stage and to polish their egos. This is how it works. Not for everyone but in most cases. Not sure if anything can be done about it, as people clearly do not want it any different. Women (some) (and men as well) want to be objectified and others want those "objects."

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Biljana Malesevic
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am really sick of looking women posing seductively in every single page I open, not just Instagram (deleted account long time ago). Is that all we are for? To be just decorations, to be worth and appreciated based on how sexy we are? Then society is shocked because young girls have eating disorders and women over 30 are having botox and multiple estetic surgeries. We should be more that just "booties" and legs, and sensual looks.

Bob Beltcher
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes you all should be more than that. Unfortunately, when you have people like the Kardashian's being considered as icons, it's difficult to get past that. For every Me Too movement and LGBTQIA march, there's 1,000 women trying to be more like the Kardashian's.

Load More Replies...
William Teach
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Astronomy to asstronomy" Loved that one. It's all about the narcissism.

Si
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

This comment has been deleted.

Load More Replies...
Marc
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, in the end it is an image of our society. People are judged by their looks and not by their actions. You can be good at your job, can do good besides work, and still someone that looks like a model, but doing nothing, can get all the recognition. This haven't been any different the last 20, 30, maybe 40 years, maybe ever, and seeing what is happening on Instagram and others, is just continuation of what is happening in "real" life. People choose to follow "influencers" just because they are looking good and visit nice places. And they think that this is normal, despite the fact, that most of it is fake, a lie and photoshoped. Instagram got so famous, because people are able to self-stage and to polish their egos. This is how it works. Not for everyone but in most cases. Not sure if anything can be done about it, as people clearly do not want it any different. Women (some) (and men as well) want to be objectified and others want those "objects."

Load More Comments
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