Earlier this week, Instagram announced a new awards series called “Rings,” designed to celebrate creators on the platform. The awards’ inaugural list of judges includes film director Spike Lee, fashion designer Marc Jacobs, Instagram head Adam Mosseri and hypebeast avatar KAWS (aka artist Brian Donnelly).
While the Meta-owned social media platform has a swanky website announcing the awards, the company didn’t reveal many specific details, such as what the categories are or how to nominate. But it does say the winner will receive a physical gold ring designed by fashion designer and judge Grace Wales Bonner, as well as a gold ring designed around their Instagram profile and story. The winners will be announced next week on October 16th.
“We felt it was time to create an award to celebrate those who are taking these creative opportunities on our platform,” said Eva Chen, Instagram’s head of fashion partnerships, who helped conceive the awards program. hollywood reporter. “These people are cultural catalysts, they spark conversations and by doing so, they also encourage people to express themselves.”
According to Chen, judges worked with Instagram’s team of creators to narrow down the field of more than 3 billion users to 25 winners. Winners will span content topics and categories from fashion to sports, with a wide range of winners.
“I think one of the most amazing things about Instagram is that it showcases every moment of someone’s journey,” Chen said. “With projects like Rings, we’re rewarding creators who are opening up their lives, opening up their art, and opening up their vision on all different levels of Instagram.”
As for KAWS, the artist posted on Instagram that he was “honored to be a part of this award, which celebrates creators who are not afraid to take a creative chance and do it their own way. Creativity comes in many forms—including process, perspective, and persistence. It’s great to recognize work that moves culture forward.”
This isn’t the first time an artist has served as a judge, either. In 2011, KAWS served as a guest judge on the second season of the short-lived Bravo reality show Works of Art: The Next Great Artistartists compete to have a solo show at the Brooklyn Museum and win a $100,000 prize.
However, it seems the winner of the ring just gets bragging rights – and a gold ring.
