The Algorithm X The Artist

This is a very unpleasant topic to talk about, but extremely necessary. For those who really need and desire to create art as a form of self-expression. And also to be able to share it with the world. Not to please others, but to send a message.

Let's take Instagram into account, for example. Even more so in the post-Artificial Intelligence world. For artists who really express themselves and are sincere about their emotions on this social media, when they find inspiration and finish a piece of work, there is a high chance that few people will see their work, because at the time I am writing this, I believe that the reach of a post for someone with 500 followers, for example, is somewhere around 5% to 10%. Even if you post in the "right time" And here I am only talking about views. I mean, a feed post will only appear in the feed of only few people, not to the 500 followers of this hypothetical user. Besides, it is no longer enough to just post static art, in the case of photographers, for example. Engagement will only increase a little if reels are made constantly. And I won't even get into the merits of what these reels should be like, which is already a headache. But why are reels more valued? Because reels keep people on Instagram for longer. After that, there are the stories (something on average 8 per day, if I'm not mistaken) and the list goes on.

I'm just using one example of a social network. If I mentioned them all, this text would never end.

But what bothers me the most is the existence of likes. Art, in my opinion, is not something that should be liked or disliked. It should be experienced. What did that song make me feel? What did a painter want to say with that painting? What was the context in which that sculpture was created? Even in the case of an unpleasant or "negative" experience, there is beauty in that. There is a message, something that needed to be "said".

I'm not a moralist or a saint. I've had my moments where I've sought likes, comments and/or views. And I've only considered myself an artist a year ago. Before, that possibility never even crossed my mind. Maybe it was the influence of having worked in advertising for a long time. But now I am looking for more meaningful and sincere paths for my life.

Whoever wants to use any social network, can do so. No judgments. I use Instagram, for example. But I created this website. And it is a representation of my essence. As a human being and an artist. Here I write whatever I want. Whoever wants to read it, feel free. Whoever doesn't, no problem.

I am doing my best to be the most sincere artist possible. And I know I pay a price for that. But I hope that my work can make people question and think more clearly. And that they can identify with what I do. A small difference. One step at a time. Whether I make money with my art or not. There is only one path for me.