Digital romanticism : the 'French-girl' phenomenon in social media
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2020
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Abstract
"The 'French-Girl', who is she? Mainly prominent in social-media, there has been a shift towards an aesthetic. A rather natural approach is nowadays seen on social media. But what does 'natural approach' mean? It is a myth of a persona that everybody seems to want to be, she is the 'French-Girl' but does 'she' really exist? This is what I am analyzing and portraying throughout my thesis. The main aspects covered are the general visual codes of the French Girl, her presence in social media, and the critical view on the own perception of that image. Whether or not 'she' does exist, this phenomenon is very much fitting into the modern zeitgeist and the aspiration to turn social media into a curated reflection of a lifestyle or aesthetic. As well as finding out how that can be implemented in one's life. Further exploring what it means to be a 'French-Girl'. And how that perception of a woman is being showcased throughout social media. A nostalgic exploration through identity, own stigmatization and the want longing for something 'real'. [...] As for my project, I wanted to do something that I could identify with. [...] I wanted to create a cultural magazine with a connection to France because these are two things I am highly fond of. But I also wanted to showcase a collection of text, artworks and imagery and a collected manner. This zine I am creating is an overall reflection of myself and work progress over the last three years. I have collected a quite extensive visual library of all things that can be connoted to the 'French-Girl', which I am now putting to use. The zine is reflective of topics that I have touched in my thesis but with a more ironic approach. Also mainly using personal or collected analogue photography. As well as translating curated Instagram feeds into a printed matter."