VIEWS FROM THE CAVE - INSTAGRAM
Overview of the Views from the Cave Art Experiment
A 365-Day Exploration of Political Polarization Online
Views from the Cave (2021–2022) is a 365-day art experiment by David Deighton exploring political polarization through the lens of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave.
Conceptual Framework: Plato’s Allegory of the Cave in Contemporary Art
Reinterpreting Philosophy Through Social Media
The project applies Plato’s Allegory of the Cave to modern digital environments, examining perception, illusion, and belief formation online.
Instagram as Medium: Art, Algorithms, and Censorship
Shadow Banning and Platform Limitations
The project consisted of 331 image and video posts and was repeatedly shadow banned by Meta’s Instagram platform while attempting to reach audiences beyond existing echo chambers.
Audience Growth and Engagement
Despite platform limitations, the project reached over 5,000 followers before its completion.
Timeline of the Views from the Cave Project
Key Video Series and Experimental Phases
Plato's Allegory of the Cave video (11 February 2021)
Book Burning videos (February 2021)
Short Films (February 2011)
US Border Wall (March 2021)
MAGA Memes breakdown (April 2021)
Daily Abstracts videos (April-May 2021)
Lying MAGA: The Disinformation Game series comedy puppets (May-June 2021)
Cognitive Bias videos series (May-September 2021)
Questions Experimental abstract film series (June-November 2021)
100 Views from the Cave Art Film intro (December 5, 2021)
Smash Art episodes (December 2021)
Leaving the Cave - End 365 Days episodes (January to February 2022)
Related Projects and Films:
100 Podcasts
Listen to conversations and interviews exploring active listening, civic engagement, contemporary culture, and public dialogue.
Dialogue Recordings
View face-to-face encounters with strangers responding to non-confrontational political questions through active listening and public participation.
National Park Installations
Discover public art interventions and participatory dialogue works developed within designated First Amendment areas of U.S. National Parks.
Dante’s Paintings
See works on paper created under the name Dante, combining abstraction, watercolor, ink, and layered human expression through mixed media.