“We are triggered by how information and technology transforms networks, cultures, societies, relationships, behaviors and interactions between people,” says Jeroen Barendse, the founder, design and art director for design studio RNDR (@rndr.studio), a Netherlands-based company that develop tools for interactive media, creating work like installations, data visualizations and generative identities that almost exclusively use their own open source framework.⁣ ⁣ In March, RNDR launched Quarantine Stories, an online platform and collaborative resource collecting personal stories of people in isolation during COVID-19 as an effort to document the effects of social distancing.⁣ ⁣ “The project started from the simple premise that the view from our window is what connects all individuals currently living in isolation around the world and is the starting point to tell a personal story that touches upon being in quarantine,” explains Jeroen. “Sharing experiences on a large scale helps readers and contributors to avoid the sense of loneliness and encourages the expression of feelings.”⁣ ⁣ #ThisWeekOnInstagram⁣ ⁣ Video by @rndr.studio

Welcome to performer, artist and model Ellen Sheidlin’s (@sheidlina) twisted fantasy world, where imagination runs wild and creativity plays out through her surreal imagery and absurd beauty looks.⁣ ⁣ “My art covers sensitive issues like bullying, self-acceptance, body positivity,” says Ellen, who lives in St. Petersburg, Russia. “I make sculptures, paint, sew clothes and organize interactive exhibitions. The videos are images that come to life, and these are cartoons in which I am the heroine, both a villain and a savior.”⁣ ⁣ Everything Ellen creates is shot IRL with her husband — and without a big team or huge budget. “Everything is very modest; we make props in the workshop; my husband takes photos of me and I process them. The shooting takes two minutes and the preparation takes three days,” she says.⁣ ⁣ “The internet for me is like a picture book in my childhood,” says Ellen. “Every social network has influenced my artist identity — every app, every filter.”⁣ ⁣ #ThisWeekOnInstagram⁣ ⁣ Photos by @sheidlina

And now for the look you’ve been waiting for... it’s actor Billy Porter (@theebillyporter), a dynamic force. He made history last year as the first openly gay Black man to win best lead actor in a drama at the Emmy Awards. This year, he’s been nominated again for his work as the character Pray Tell on the TV show “Pose.” ⁣ ⁣ “Never in a million years, as a gay Black man who came out in the 80s during the AIDS crisis, did I imagine that a show like ‘Pose’ and a character like Pray Tell could exist,” says Billy, who is known to make a statement through perspective and style. ⁣ ⁣ “I would describe my style as free. I’ve worked a long time to find a space where I don’t care what other people think about me. That’s a real interesting and hard place to get to,” says Billy. “I’m there. I’m free.” ⁣ ⁣ Cheer on Billy and the other amazing nominees at the 72nd Annual Emmy Awards (@televisionacad). ⁣ ⁣ Photo of @theebillyporter by @luckychurch

What will fashion icon and two-time nominee Billy Porter (@theebillyporter) be wearing to this year’s Emmy Awards? ⁣ ⁣ Florals? 🌸⁣ Bold colors? 💥⁣ Statement piece? 🔥⁣ ⁣ Whatever it is, we know it will be fierce. Check back later for the grand reveal ahead of the big night.⁣ ⁣ Reel of @theebillyporter by @luckychurch

#HelloFrom Moab, Utah. We’re dreaming of this Mars-like landscape where human-made solar evaporation ponds — and matching blue skies — contrast with red desert rocks and table-top cliffs. ⁣ ⁣ Photo by @watchluke

Prickly or plush?⁣ ⁣ On today’s #WeeklyFluff we are curling up with Liam (@radotink_hedgehog), a pygmy hedgehog who officially found his comfort zone.⁣ ⁣ Photo by @radotink_hedgehog

School is back in session (kind of) and Benito Skinner (@bennydrama7) wins “Most Likely to Make You Laugh Till it Hurts.” 👏 👏👏⁣ ⁣ See him portray some of his hilarious characters on IGTV now. And if you’re in need of an after-school treat, check out our story. 😂⁣ ⁣ Video by @bennydrama7

The spirit of ubuntu. For South African hair artist Nikiwe Dlova (@nix_indamix), it’s what she loves about being part of the Black community.⁣ ⁣ “Even when you don’t have much yourself, but when your neighbor or a stranger is asking for help, we’re always there to assist each other,” says Nikiwe. “It emphasizes social unity and generosity of spirit, which is beautiful to see because you’re not alone and you can’t do everything yourself.”⁣ ⁣ Today on our IGTV, Nikiwe shares what Black joy means to her, along with some stunning hair looks.⁣ ⁣ #ShareBlackStories 🖤⁣ ⁣ Photo of @nix_indamix by @danascruggs

One look at Nikiwe Dlova’s hair art and you know it’s something special.⁣ ⁣ “I celebrate Black joy through my hair art by showcasing how versatile our hair can be in every shape or form, color or texture,” says @nix_indamix, who’s from Soweto, South Africa. “Whenever I think of Black joy, I think of my Xhosa culture, how vibrant it is, how people see beauty in the simplest things.”⁣ ⁣ “It’s so important to celebrate Black joy because it brings us together and we become a force when we’re moving together. We become powerful.”⁣ ⁣ Watch our IGTV and story to see how Nikiwe celebrates Black joy through her art. ✨🖤⁣ ⁣ #ShareBlackStories

Sharmadean Reid (@sharmadeanreid) works to celebrate and support the entrepreneurial spirit of women. Since 2017, her platform Beautystack (@beautystack) has helped independent beauty and wellness professionals visually market their services and connect with new clients.⁣ ⁣ “My motivation was my own experience as a young salon owner who was trying to hack her away around the existing tools to facilitate our clients’ user journey,” says Sharmadean, who founded the East London salon WAH Nails, which re-imagined nail art and shaped the global trend.⁣ ⁣ “Black women have historically always found ways to hack a system that wasn’t designed for them in order to survive. It’s important to support Black-owned businesses because when you move from survival mode to thriving mode, you create mental space for innovation and ideas. Moving from fight or flight tendencies to adapt and create means a more dynamic economy with richer opportunities,” she says.⁣ ⁣ “I hope to inspire achievement and economic empowerment. And I won’t rest until the gender pay gap is closed.”⁣ ⁣ #ThisWeekOnInstagram⁣ ⁣ Photo by @sharmadeanreid

“I’m proud of where we come from and that my parents stayed true to themselves,” says Brazilian-American artist June Canedo de Souza (@june_canedo), whose family migrated to the US when she was 9 years old.⁣ ⁣ “Leaving Brazil wasn’t an easy decision and they’ve always had dreams of returning. I hope to help them make that happen. This is a generalization, but Brazilians always dream of returning home.”⁣ ⁣ This #LatinxHeritageMonth, we’re celebrating Latinx voices that represent the beauty of their culture. Read June’s letter below for more about her experience and watch our story to learn about her book “mara kuya,” a series of photos that tell the story of migration and family separation.⁣ ⁣ ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨⁣ ⁣ “I don’t remember the face of the man who took me from Minas Gerais to New Jersey, but I remember that first plane ride. How the blonde American woman with the little red hat on her head sat me up front and made me feel important with the crayons and the orange juice. I got to the US by morning and 20 years later, the only thing I can remember about Jersey is the feeling of cold air pinching against my skin. It was November when I got to South Carolina. The air was warm and sweet and I became the first Brazilian third grader in Horry County. Taken over seven years, the images in ‘mara kuya’ are to assure my 9-year-old self that the sharp edges will smooth eventually. Feeling the time go by, I am still doing my best.” —@june_canedo⁣ ⁣ Collage by @valheria123

Letters to mi gente. 💌⁣ ⁣ Mexican-American artist Cristina Martinez (@sew_trill), Dominican and Puerto Rican comedian LeJuan James (@lejuanjames) and Brazilian-American artist June Canedo de Souza (@june_canedo) share a letter to “mi gente” – to their families, their ancestors or their younger selves – as a way to honor their heritage.⁣ ⁣ Read their full letters throughout #LatinxHeritageMonth, celebrated in the US starting today and until October 15.⁣ ⁣ Collage by @valheria123