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Existence Under Review
Existence Under Review confronts the quiet mechanisms of digital censorship and the systemic silencing of LGBTQ+ identities online. In this self-portrait, Samuel Avery’s body is partially obscured by projected text—language associated with “sensitive content” warnings—casting a shadow over his presence and identity.
The work responds to recent platform policies that have restricted LGBTQ+ hashtags, effectively limiting visibility under the guise of protection. By labeling queer identities as “sexually suggestive,” these systems blur the line between safety and erasure, disproportionately impacting young users who encounter filtered realities by default.
Avery’s pose—arms shielding his face—evokes both vulnerability and resistance, reflecting the emotional toll of being constantly reviewed, flagged, and questioned. The projection becomes a metaphor for surveillance and control, where existence itself is subjected to approval.
Existence Under Review exposes how digital infrastructures shape visibility and belonging, challenging viewers to question who decides what is seen—and what is hidden. It is a powerful statement against erasure and a demand for unapologetic presence.
Description
Existence Under Review confronts the quiet mechanisms of digital censorship and the systemic silencing of LGBTQ+ identities online. In this self-portrait, Samuel Avery’s body is partially obscured by projected text—language associated with “sensitive content” warnings—casting a shadow over his presence and identity.
The work responds to recent platform policies that have restricted LGBTQ+ hashtags, effectively limiting visibility under the guise of protection. By labeling queer identities as “sexually suggestive,” these systems blur the line between safety and erasure, disproportionately impacting young users who encounter filtered realities by default.
Avery’s pose—arms shielding his face—evokes both vulnerability and resistance, reflecting the emotional toll of being constantly reviewed, flagged, and questioned. The projection becomes a metaphor for surveillance and control, where existence itself is subjected to approval.
Existence Under Review exposes how digital infrastructures shape visibility and belonging, challenging viewers to question who decides what is seen—and what is hidden. It is a powerful statement against erasure and a demand for unapologetic presence.
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