The spectacle of Self

Performing reality in the shadows of the attention economy

In a world where every moment is staged for the perfect shot, reality is often reshaped to fit the expectations of the digital gaze. This photography project captures the strange duality of modern life: the relentless pursuit of attention, bending reality to fit the digital frame, and the contrast with those left behind. From Instagram models and Instagram monks to unhoused people who need to point a flashlight at themselves to be noticed in a world chasing likes, these images explore the performative nature of our daily lives. Drawing on Goffman's idea that we’re all actors in this never-ending play, this project challenges us to rethink what’s real, what’s staged, and who gets left in the dark.