Writing About Ekphrasis 5

Active Observation vs. Social Media

Is it more difficult to be an active observer than it has ever been? In The Ekphrastic Writer, Baugher states that in addition to being active readers, we should also be active observers (Baugher). But on social media, is this active observation even possible? In an endless scroll of social media, it is difficult to examine one piece of art for a long time, especially when the image or video is not particularly eye-catching. Even if it is eye-catching, it is hard to reflect on or even remember the work due to the countless images that follow. In this way, social media might be a harmful weapon against ekphrastic writing. 

Pros of Social Media in Ekphrastic Writing

Although the endless scroll can be a drawback of social media, when it comes to active observation, it also might aid the Ekphrastic writing process. Social media can connect you to things you like (most of the time) which can make it easier to discover digital works that you like. This can guide the act of observing, analyzing, and connecting to the artwork. Of course, social media’s algorithm does have its downsides. If you are only receiving art that you like and are comfortable with, how can you grow as a writer? Sometimes, it is the uncomfortable images that foster growth. But, when social media only feeds art that you are comfortable with, how can you grow? Occasionally social media delivers something unfamiliar or uncomfortable, but if there is a lack of interaction with that subject it can disappear instantly. Although social media is a good tool for discovering art used in ekphrastic writing, I think it is important to be cognizant of the system's algorithm and to interact with images that are uncomfortable or foreign to you. 

Takeaways

Everything's an Argument makes an interesting point about new media in general. It says, “When it comes to making arguments, perhaps the most innovative aspect of new media is its ability to summon audiences” (Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz). I think this perfectly summarizes the benefits of social media in ekphrastic writing. Social media can introduce you to an artist and a community of people who enjoy that artist. But, as I mentioned previously, for ekphrastic writing, it is necessary to acknowledge the influence of social media in terms of it catering to your likes and to acknowledge the importance of discovering new artists outside of your comfort zone. 

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Interesting info about Ekphrasis in the Digital Era

Works Cited

Baugher, Jenée. The Ekphrastic Writer: Creating Art-Influenced Poetry, Fiction and Nonfiction, ebook, McFarland & Company, Inc., 2020.

Lunsford, Andre, and John Ruszkiewicz. Everything’s an Argument.Eight Edition, ebook, Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2019.