Benny Or is the Creative Director of Fireplay—a Brooklyn-based design and production studio. His role has allowed him to work on a variety of cultural projects ranging from music festival and concert tour designs to aiding in creative direction for Olympic ceremonies. Recently, we’ve spotted Or on Instagram—under @bennyor with over 12,000 followers—shining light on art spaces he feels are inspiring. While he uses social media as a tool to make art more accessible, he’s got his finger on the pulse of what’s what in the contemporary art scene.
For this edition of Social Spotlight, Whitewall spoke with Or about who he’s following online, his top tips on social media, and his golden rule.
Portrait of Benny Or by Alexander McMichael.
WHITEWALL: Who are your top 5-10 people to follow.
BENNY OR: @markatthemuseum for the best-looking art content out there, @jerrygogosian for the scathingly accurate satire on the art world, @artnet for their insightful features, @kindasupermario for his queering of art history and @surfacemag for their immaculate design curation. @girlseesart, @artstagram__, @laurencsglazer, @mary_lynn_buchanan and @oneyearinparis are also great resources for all things art in New York City as well.
Carrie UnderwoodCourtesy of Benny Or and Fireplay.
WW: Top tip for social media?
BO: Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and share personal things about yourself. We’re all humans and it’s important to show the world the good and the bad. People want authenticity and will thank you for it.
Billie EilishCourtesy of Benny Or and Fireplay.
WW: Best recent follower interaction?
BO: I just about died when Jeff Koons followed back.
Dreamscape II, 2015A conceptual light installation work by Benny Or.
WW: One rule you live by on social media?
BO: Be kind.
Courtesy of Benny Or.
