Glass Bedroom, The (ATOM Study Guide)

Synopsis:
The Glass Bedroom will profile six Australian artists who use Instagram to create bold new works daily, even hourly, to share with their thousands of followers worldwide. These artists use Instagram to make art – using themselves as the subjects. Their works are highly constructed self-portraits, a mash up of images digitally altered or photographed provoking followers with alternate views on identity, sex, corporate power, fashion, pop culture and mainstream media.

• Amy Louise's Instagram feed @ilovebrucewillis is made up of selfies which are designed to 'repulse and intrigue' with colour coordinated bright blues and pastel colours fill the feed as well as boobs and grotesque sculptures.
• Rowan Oliver is a multidisciplinary artist and transwoman whose @everybodysdaughter gives instant visibility for transwomen.
• Damiano Dentice is an artist who uses @y2kangel as a way to explore his interest in gender, identity and consumerism through fashion.
• Carolyn Duchene, @carolynduchene is touted Australia's 'Meme Queen' whose memes have been reposted by Miley Cyrus.
• Lexi Laphor, a self-described 'queer freak from out of space' uses her @femmeasf*** moniker as a space to celebrate her 'freakiness' and encourage others to feel comfortable in their skin and their choices.
• Giselle Stanborough is an inter-media artist whose latest Instagram artwork, 'Lozein' @lozein_official is a fictional dating application.

The series takes viewers inside The Glass Bedrooms of these Instagram artists, providing an intimate insight into their world and the relationship between authenticity, identity, and social media in their work. The Glass Bedroom will show ways in which the production, viewing and understanding of art is forever changed by the digital age – the gallery is more accessible now than ever.

The Glass Bedroom is most suitable for students undertaking studies in Years 11 and 12 and in University or TAFE settings. Teachers in Secondary schools should be aware that the series contains coarse language and adult themes. It is strongly advised that teachers view the series before showing it to students.

General understandings addressed in the film:

• The use of social media as an artistic medium
• On line versus off line personalities
• How social media can be used as a forum to explore the themes of power, authenticity and identity.

Summary of links to the National Curriculum:

Learning areas:

• Media Year 11–12
• Drama Year 11–12
• Art/Studio Arts Years 11–12
• English 11–12 

Learning outcomes and content descriptors have not yet been developed for Arts subjects in the Australian curriculum; however, the ideas explored in the series could be linked to the key knowledge and skills in Senior Art, Drama and Media studies throughout Australia. The film could be used by students to reflect on their process and practice as they devise their own creative works. The prime use in Senior English would be as a resource when exploring issues and as stimulus for students creating texts that require analysis and argument.