What’s the last album you heard that made you want to play an instrument, What’s the name of the last playlist you made, and what’s the last concert you attended?
KJ: I’ve been listening to John Cage’s percussive works for school and they’re great. Makes me want to experiment with timing, percussive works, and instruments – analog or electronic. I T.A. for a professor who makes noise art and incorporates sound into his sculptural works and he’s an inspiration. Last Playlist: “theesis”. The last show I saw was Soft Kill, Second Still and Salt Lake City’s own Human Leather here in LA. HL sounded great and they were the best performance of the night. Great sound, great stage presence.
"a digital Thrifty Nickel..."
Why did you choose to delete Instagram for good?
KJ: Instagram’s a circle-jerk of like-for-like social anxiety and a soft-core butt-model dumpster fire. That being said, I think it can be a powerful networking tool and a really great way to discover new artists. What I think it lacks is proper context for how your art should be received. At times it feels like an infinite swipe through of a digital Thrifty Nickel, but with incredible images of people's art sprinkled in. 1 in 5 images or videos is an essential oils sales pitch from your (hopefully) distant relative. I guess I think artists should ask if they want their work being received in the infinite image dump and sales pitch context. I think it had a good run but is experiencing what Facebook became when your uncle with the questionable politics got on there and started posting ain’t-gonna-take-my-guns-away memes. I think Tumblr has somehow avoided the commercialization to an extent, but I also got bored of the infinite scroll. Everything, no matter how incredible it is, becomes just another image drop in the bucket after a few minutes of scrolling.
"I GET A LOT MORE DONE"
Have you found the results you were hoping for when you decided to delete?
KJ: I don’t think results is something that I was looking for. But I definitely feel less anxiety from it and I get a lot more done. I’m sure I’ve lost some connections and some in-the-know moments. That’s definitely something to consider. But overall I don’t miss it.
"People should go see art in person."
How does Instagram cheapen the creative process of creating and consuming art?
KJ: I think you can find inspiration on there but it’s so much better in person. Ain’t nothing like the real thing. People should go see art in person. I’m always amazed at how different work can be in the flesh, for better and for worse. Take that scroll time to your favorite alternative art space or museum or commercial gallery or music venue. Go actually support artists by engaging with them and maybe even give them money if you like what they do. It’s an insane occupation from a financial perspective. Buy your musician friend a slice of pizza. Donate your time at the museum or curate a group show in your backyard or living room. I think community engagement and support of art happens in person.
"the bizarre psycho-social expectations when posting an image..."
How does it stifle creativity?
KJ: I don’t think it does unless you consider the FOMO and social anxiety of like-expectation and all the bizarre psycho-social expectations when posting an image. It may stifle creativity by everyone borrowing each other’s styles. Artists should control the way in which their work is received. If some want to put it out there on Instagram, great. If they don’t, I think that’s even better. I don’t think anyone should feel they’re too good for it either. I just think it should be like any other choice an artist makes.