Jempol Zine #2: Bitter Artist Quits Instagram
Jempol
USA (2024)
Publishing details:
A6 foldy zine
Riso printed in green on lined black paper
Description:
Calligraphy perzine. The mini zine is Riso printed in dark green ink on black paper, which requires the reader to hold it closely to distinguish the text, it contains the artist’s rationale for leaving Instagram. Jempol reflects on their extended usage “was I really on the app for 8 hours every day? (don’t tell work)",
“I turned off notifications and refreshed the app every five minutes to see if I got any messages or Likes on my latest post. Sometimes I did this while driving.”The zine is very honest and reflective in tone and exposes a need in us all to be liked and noticed. There is a black humour underpinning the zine with the artist fully aware of the toll Instagram is having on their self-esteem, the front cover has a graphic banner shouting ‘now 300% more negative!’ The artist is aware of this online manipulation but still engages with it, as we share in their frustration.
