The following literature reviews provide an in-depth analysis of how Instagram functions as a public space in which utopian narratives are textually and visually created. Instagram is a virtual space that is constructive of imaginary narratives. These narratives are a globally accustomed imaginary representation of everyday life. We call them ‘utopian’ because similar to how El Dorado envisions a perfect, dreamlike imaginary space in physical reality, Instagram turns the virtual everyday life into a perfect space allowing for idealized narrative only. Influencers create such spaces by manipulating their life narratives as they share them in their posts and stories. On a textual level, we see life narratives diverting from the lived experience and perceived truth by means of change, omission and deletion of elements that do not fit the utopic image influencers ultimately try to sell their audiences. Narratological elements that can easily be tampered with on the platform include space itself, memory and identity. On a visual level then, images convey literal and symbolic messages. The creator uses and manipulates these images to create visual narratives on Instagram. The viewer receives and engages with this narrative to communicate with its creator and escape reality and/or peek into their lives. 

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We have conducted these researches to provide an academically substantiated theoretical basis to our main project, the zine.