Influencer Creep: How Optimization, Authenticity, and Self-Branding Transform Creative Culture

A look at how the rise of influencer culture has changed creative work

A sculptor works while wearing a GoPro camera to capture Instagram content. A painter decides whether to make pieces that she won't be able to share on Instagram, after her account was blocked for sharing "sexualized" content. An artist finds that her portraits of light—skinned women get an algorithmic boost over those featuring dark—skinned models. These creative workers are now using the content—generation skills and ...