Social media is a double-edged sword. And while platforms like Instagram and Facebook come with a long list of benefits, we’re all too aware of their pitfalls, which includes perpetrating picture-perfect lives and winning lifestyles. While deception might not be the goal as everyone wants to celebrate the best version of themselves, constantly consuming unrealistic content can influence the way we react to our own lives. Ironically, a new Reel that has been trending on Instagram, and you’ve probably come across this  one, pushes back on perfect portrayals to highlight reality in terms of artistic practices. The ‘Instagram versus Reality’ Reel showcases a creative mind at work — whether painters, designers, or chefs — at two speeds. Everyone can point out a time-lapse video, but the stark difference between the increased speed and the same act in actual time, shares an overlooked, and mostly forgotten, perspective — Creation takes time. Four artists who have posted the Reel share their perspectives, and why they chose to do so.

Joy of creating

Payal Doulatani