Artist Portrays The Harsh Reality Of Our Times Through These Hard-Hitting Illustrations
Understand Art, Understand Life.
- STORY BY Saurabh Das
- 8 months ago
- COMMENTS
Art is a powerful medium that defines life, though in a very subtle way. We need to have a discreet and keen eye to understand what the art is trying to portray. If we look at the history, art has always been used as a medium to express suppressed voices. Art has hidden meanings, you only need to look closely to understand.
So when I came across these illustrations by the famous Agentinian Illustrator Al Margen from Buenos Aires, I was surprised by his subtle grasp and portrayal. In all his illustrations, he has portrayed us as 'modern slaves'. And ironically, we don't know about this. The societal pressure is too much to handle and it has taken away the simplicity from our life. Lot of factors control us and made us puppets.
These thought-provoking illustrations prove how the modern era has affected us. The question that popped up in my mind after going through his illustrations is - "Have we become a bunch of lies?"
Illustrations and pictures don't just speak a thousand words, they capture a thousand emotions.
Selfie mania, and everybody is in the trap.
Probably we are so much obsessed with ourselves that this selfie-mania has become the new norm. We have this societal pressure to perform, succeed, look good, win the race etc. that we have started doing strange things, like becoming more and more narcissist. These illustrations portray our modern age ironies in the most blatant, yet covert form.
Capitalism, taking over everything.
Capitalism is the new norm and only the fittest will survive.
Tired and outwitted.
You and me and everyone else, nowadays.
How about some reflection?
Sing to show them their real faces.
Money on my mind!
Anything for money?
Chained, and no escape.
We have all been so much chained and controlled, and it has become a way of life.
Broken marriages.
Couples fight and children suffer.
Recycling is a hypocrisy.
We talk about recycling but wear animals in the name of fashion.
Nobody wants me to fly.
And people will try to stop you, because they are not able to fly.
The awaited blast.
The blast is just around the corner.
Controlled by money.
Money is the god.
Where's the mind?
It is in my hands.
This guy is trying to be logical.
Times are a difficult, no?
Trapped in the digital world.
And there seems be no escape.
Degree over mind?
Modern degreed slaves!
The craze to be slim and fit.
How do I look? Am I fat?
Masks.
Real faces behind the masks.
Put aside the brain.
Brain is a no-no.
Who controls whom.
Law controls police, police controls criminals, criminals control society.
The pressure to perform.
I am dying, dad.
The fake smile.
The facade.
The confused idiot.
The one who has got brains is labelled as an idiot.
You can see Al Margen complete works here and understand how he is trying to depict society, something that's happening with all of us but we are unable to figure out. And how we have become modern slaves to the corporate culture, capitalism, internet, work, smartphones etc.
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