Avalon DiBernard

During a time of a worldwide pandemic, we were stationed in our homes; forced to isolate from others and refrain from any direct human contact. As a result, people of all ages are spending more and more time online and on social media. The Social Networking Club, is an homage to the rise of social media with sites (Myspace, AOL, etc.) Growing up in the early 2000s with an older sister who was completely consumed by pop culture and the rise of social media influenced more than I ever thought it would. I cherished these years. And by spending time with my older sister and her friends, I absorbed their same interests and actions. Sites like Myspace, AOL, Xanga, Tumblr and LiveJournal played a prominent role in my childhood. In today's context, these sites could be considered "the wild west" of social media. People posted anything they wanted, no matter what age or popularity status. It was easy to connect with various people; a world where "woke" individuals and "social justice warriors" hardly existed. It was free and seemingly accepting of everyone who wanted to be an individual in the online world.

As most of my work references pop culture and celebrities, it made perfect sense to me to create a book based on social media from 2000 to now. This book begins with the people I grew up with, including those who were "Myspace famous" showcasing their old Myspace photos/selfies. This then leads to my current friends or past models whom I asked to take webcam photos of themselves, in which I'd later manipulate in a way I view them personally or on social media, in similar Myspace stylings. We all, to some extent, showcase a "character" on our social media platforms, but that doesn't mean the idea you're trying to create is the same idea someone elsewhere has while looking at your profile. I wanted to create each spread in relation to how I view them as people in regards to their online profiles, artwork, interests or personality.

Combining different aesthetics from vapor wave to 90s clipart, I made sure to showcase the nostalgia we hold in regards to the internet and social media. As little things in our physical world comeback like record players, polaroid cameras and clothing styles. I thought to bring back a time where celebrities rampaged through LA, posting endless club photos on Myspace to 15 year olds posting photos of themselves in various locations drinking large amounts of alcohol. I wanted to bring back a time that I consider very strange. Strange because there was so much more freedom online than there is today. I just find it so interesting that the rise of social media was considered a "free for all" in regards to having absolute freedom without fear of losing our outside career or being deemed as an online villian. We now live in a world where vou have to be careful and politically correct constantly just to not be "cancelled". I created this book to go back and view a time where the internet was entertaining and more enjoyable, to me.