Siduations on the Future of Instagram
KALA HERH Your Instagram, Siduations, has amassed 158K. So how do you define a siduation?
SIDNEY PRAWATYOTIN A siduation is putting people on a level playing field - mixing high and low, rich and poor, fantasy and reality. There’s so much division in our world: class, politics, race, religion, sex - creating siduations was my way of uniting them.
KH: I’ve read that you previously worked as a fashion publicist in New York and one of the founders of United Bamboo, the artists collective. What drew you to the fashion industry?
SP: I was drawn to the fashion industry because it encompasses art, design, music, photography, storytelling - all of which I’ve dabbled in. They’re all forms escapism for me - I can transform myself into whoever I want to be by just putting on a garment. I’ve always felt like an outsider like I don’t fit in. Perhaps it’s because I’m a product of first-generation immigrants, being gay, belonging to a certain class, or all of the above.
KH: I’m curious about your artistic background. Did you have any formal training in digital retouching before creating the Instagram account?
SP: I took a basic photoshop class in high school, back in the early 90s. Unfortunately, I didn’t retain much of the information, so I had to relearn it by trial and error. If I’m stuck on something, I’ll watch a Youtube video.
KH: Tell us about your process of creation. Can you expand on the conception of these images? Are they planned in advance or more organic?
SP: The concept for the images are organic. I’m drawn to facial expressions, garments, or poses that I can associate with a current event, location, or pop culture reference. Usually, it’s the first thing that comes to mind.
KH: You seem to draw inspiration from a lot of street photographers, Tommy Ton and Phil Oh. Are there certain designers that you pay special attention to?
SP: I tend to favor designers that transport you to another universe. It’s not just through their collections; it’s the way they present it. Think early Alexander McQueen or John Galliano shows for their eponymous labels or Givenchy and Dior, respectively.
KH: Yeah, for sure. There also seems to be a sub-level of witty humor embedded in every image you post. I find it quite refreshing as the fashion world does not often poke fun of themselves. What do you think of Elle crowning you as “the mastermind making fashion fun again?”
SP: I think that the title is flattering! Though there seems to be a sub-level of witty humor embedded in every image, most of it isn’t intentional. Sure, some find it funny to see an image of -- let’s say -- someone wearing a full Comme des Garçons look at a McDonald’s, but why? If fashion is meant to be worn, who’s to say where and when they can wear it?
KH: Is there an image that you’ve made that stands out as one you’re especially proud of?
SP: Not really. It’s probably because I’ve been staring at it too long and notice all the mistakes. I’ve been treating each image like the Tibetan monks ritual destruction of their sand mandalas - once I post it, I move on to the next.
KH: [laughs] That paints a very vivid image in my head. I imagine the possibilities for images like these are endless. What do you see yourself doing in the future?
SP: I consider all of my images “editorial on a budget.” If I had the funds, I would creative direct real-life siduations, working on photos or films with a team of other creatives -- photographers/directors, models, hair & make-up artists, stylists, set designers.
KH: And one last question before you go, when you’re not creating what do you like to do?
SP: Daydream.
First seen on Museé Magazine
All images Siduations, 2019