If you're not on Instagram, it's quite possible that you don't actually exist. If you can get over the profound Western bias and socioeconomic privilege inherent in that statement, you'll understand that my point is directed towards our contemporary desire to archive everything. Had a pretty-looking salad for lunch? Shoot it. Bought some new sunglasses? Time for a selfie! Have kids? Better make sure to capture every funny face they make.
But what about art? While not everyone's a believer, if you spend enough time on Instagram, you'll notice some absolutely fabulous photographs. While you couldn't blow them up and exhibit them beside Edward Burtynsky's large format work, it'd be tough to argue that some of them don't deserve the gallery treatment. Chalk it up to the infinite monkey theorem, if you will.
Though surely not the first exhibit of its kind, INSTAGRATIFICATION is an upcoming show at Goodfellas Gallery that should attract the interest of the city's most committed Instagramers. Held in conjunction with the CONTACT Photography Festival, the exhibition will feature a whopping 500 12" x 12" photographs all sourced from, you guessed it, smartphones.
If nothing else, the show should provide an intriguing glimpse into our archival impulses and just what quality of images can now be created with in-phone cameras. Would-be participants have until April 22 to register. The cost is $60, which covers the wood panel-mounted print, entry in the show, and the opportunity to sell one's work for $120. The image voted best of the bunch will be awarded a $1000 prize courtesy of the gallery and Hello Foto.
More details can be found on the exhibition's dedicated website.
