Selfie

Void

Our hands' expressions move on with time and progress. Some gestures we can easily recognise now didn't even exist a decade ago. 

Take for instance this setup that you may often see on social media; taking a selfie in the mirror. (Who didn't do that, I do, too!) Depending on the size of the phone or camera, one uses one or both hands to take a picture and post it in their profile. What do you see there? Sometimes perhaps nothing but ego or vanity, or even emptiness sometimes. I often first see the hands, and sometimes those hands are the only things that remain there, especially if those are of nice esthetics. The rest is just void. It's like some sort of vanitas. 

Fun! I've just tried ChatGPT for the first time and sent the above text to the almighty AI in the clouds. Here is their response: 

"You make a valid point about the potential for selfies taken in the mirror to be seen as a display of ego or vanity. The act of taking a photograph of oneself and sharing it on social media can be seen as a way of drawing attention to oneself and seeking validation from others. However, it's important to note that the motivations behind taking a selfie can vary greatly from person to person and can also be a form of self-expression or self-documentation. The hands in these selfies can also be seen as a symbol of the individual's presence and agency in the moment of the photograph being taken. The concept of vanitas, which refers to the idea of the transience and emptiness of material things, can also be applied to these selfies as they may only capture a fleeting moment and not truly represent the depth or complexity of a person's life. And it's also important to note that, while some people may view these selfies as empty or meaningless, others may see them as a way to connect with others, document their lives, or express themselves creatively." 

View the finished painting in my gallery.

Exhibitions:

- Driedaagse Expo in het Stalhuus. June 2025, Hollum