invisible identity

How do media shape our identity, especially during youth? Invisible Identity explores this question through portraits and double exposures, revealing the influence of media on self-perception across generations. Over 30 participants, aged 12 to 102, shared their experiences in interviews, reflecting on how media shaped their identities. Inspired by Heiner Keupp’s identity theory, which sees identity as a patchwork of experiences, this project makes visible only the "media fragments" that contribute to our sense of self. By layering media imagery over individual portraits, the work highlights the evolving relationship between identity and media influence. Accompanied by a research-based essay, the project is presented as a book, combining portraits, interview excerpts, and a chronological journey through media history—from the oldest participants to the youngest. Invisible Identity visualizes how our identities are constantly shaped, reshaped, and influenced by the media landscapes we grow up with.