Too Light to Travel 1

This image is from the series "Too Light to Travel." In this series, I want to highlight the duality between "not wanting to be seen, not standing out in real life" and "the adolescent's exhibitionist behavior in the online world." The images are a serene representation of the complex time period when digital life is open and showcased, while in real life one wants to blend in with the masses. Underlying themes are body shaming, sexting, cyberbullying, introversion and extroversion.

The use of specific colors and compositions represent the anonymity contained in digital exposure.

Location: The image was made in the old station building of Balegem-Village, right before the demolition party. A station building is an interesting and fraught psychological metaphor. A station can signify a place of transience. People arrive here to be transported to another physical place. But in a sense, psychological transportation also happens. A new environment offers itself to the mind; it can be a place to reset and involve a fresh start. The journey in itself can bring happiness or disappointment.