The practice of composing a self-portrait dates back several centuries to ancient sculptors who’d depict their likeness into stone. Conversely, what was once an exhibition of one’s artistic talent, the advent of technology and social media has reduced this form of expression as a whimsical and instantaneous declaration of one’s self — the selfie.
It is a global phenomenon started ten years ago, as denizens of MySpace pointed cameras at awkward angles above their heads to capture the perfect profile picture. Today, this adopted art form has exploded along with the number of smartphones.
Techinforgraphics.com, an Internet based design firm focused on social media marketing, recently estimated one million selfies are taken each day. Facebook estimates there are 1.35 billion users of its social media site each month, many of who tether their Twitter, Instagram and other picture sharing social sites to their profiles. With the average person inundated with selfies each day, the subject often elicits a strong opinion.
“Too many selfies are unhealthy,” said Jennifer Bullard, a native of Glens Falls. “A few here and there for specific reasons are okay.” Bullard admits she and her husband, Ian, have posted such pictures on Facebook to capture moments with friends and family, but little else, she added. “Creating art, putting up a headshot for Facebook a few times a year, hanging out with your friends and family.”
Studies of various themes have focused on practice.
The Ohio State University recently published a study the school’s communication department conducted on men who post self-portraits. The study revealed men who posted pictures of themselves had a higher than average tendency for narcissism and psychopathy. The study also reportedly states that men who edit their photos exacerbate the issue further. Comparable studies on women often site lack of self-esteem.
Attempts to reach Jesse Fox, lead author of the Ohio State study were made but were unsuccessful.
“I admit I take selfies,” said Delmar native Shaun Mahoney. “I wouldn’t call myself narcissistic although like anyone I am sure I have my moments.” The Pittsfield attorney doesn’t associate self-portraits with negative behavior by itself. “I also know many other really wonderful and unselfish people who take selfies. Some do so more than others and some sure go overboard. However, I don’t feel that the taking of selfies, no matter how much or how little, should be a primary indicator of whether someone is narcissistic or how much so.”
Everyone, including celebrities and heads of state, are in on the act. Last year, Ellen Degeneres snapped a photo at the 2014 Oscars. The picture of A-list actors included Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Meryl Strep, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jared Leto. Once posted on Twitter, the picture was re-tweeted by more than a million users. The frequency at which people shared the photo temporarily shut Twitter down.
Psychological arguments aside, the act of taking a picture is to preserve a moment in time. For one Albany photographer, the self-portrait was the perfect means to capture his travels across the globe.
“I selfied on my trip through Europe and Israel with my brother this summer,” said Bryan Lasky. Pictures often taken of popular landmarks where turned into something fun and unique for Lasky, who attached a fisheye lens to his DSLR camera, extended his arm, and included himself as the subject. He said it was something to have funny pictures of the summer. “I haven’t done it since,” he said. “I might start doing self-portraits to test ideas out.”
That’s just what students from one area school did.
In November, Niskayuna Central School District opened “Selfies: The Art of the Self Portrait,” an exhibit at the school’s unique on-campus art gallery. It’s a collaborative work involving both students and faculty
“This is almost an ironic play on the idea as to what people see as a selfie,” said Niskayuna art teacher Stephen Honicki, “because this was approached as fine art… at an age when anyone can use a smartphone or electronic device and use this technology to put themselves out there.”
Honicki said the exhibit was inspired through observing the use of smartphones. “Self?portraiture is often used to explore and manipulate identity. The artist invites judgment and critique on not only their artistic message, but also their appearance and demeanor.” The theme was incorporated into the school’s art curriculum, covering a wide range of media that included print, paint, ink sketch, as well as digital.
Niskayuna’s art exhibit is scheduled to run through Jan. 28.
“It’s interesting how each student has taken to it,” said Honicki. “There was a wide range of growing solutions from each level. It was interesting to see how each student decided to see themselves.”
Regardless of your opinion, the act of snapping a picture still remains a piece of subjective art.
“They are all just photos and could never paint a true picture of the complicated and ever changing nature of a human being,” said Mahoney.
