INTIMATE LONELINESS
PROJECT
an antidote to the loss of human connection
‘Intimate Loneliness – Sex with Things’ exhibition emerged from the line of artist’s work highlighting issues of technologically induced loneliness and loss of intimacy in our modern, always-on ever-connected era. It was one of his first attempts aimed to focus attention on the fact that humans have become what the artist refers to as, “dehumanised, controllable and easy to manipulate.”
The exhibition was a bold statement and a first step towards the united search for a solution to this global problem. Having grown up in a world where courtship happened face-to-face, this was SaySay’s attempt to remind us what it means to have real human connections.
In an effort to further this cause we dedicate this section of the site to the project, presenting a curated collection of artist’s work and global media’s articles covering the issue.
“Dating sites and apps allow users to create personas for themselves, a constructed image based on societal ideals of perfection. We separate us from our true selves, and in doing so separate from each other, leading to loneliness and a loss of Intimacy. We have lost touch with romance and nature.”
MARCH 21, 2019 / ‘INTIMATE LONELINESS’ DOCUMENTARY
In this short film the artist is revealing his motivation behind the project. A dialog which highlights issues of loneliness and intimacy in the ever-connected and always-on era.
February 17, 2019 / Kurzgesagt – In a NutshelL, ‘LONELINESS’
“Everybody feels lonely sometimes. But only few of us are aware how important this feeling was for our ancestors – and that our modern world can turn it into something that really hurts us. Why do we feel this way and what can we do about it?”
February 11, 2019 / Al Jazeera, “UK appoints minister for loneliness”
“The UK has appointed a Minister for Loneliness to help the vulnerable in society who feel isolated. It is estimated 200,000 older people in Britain had not had a conversation with a friend or relative in more than a month. And more than half of all over 75-year-olds live alone.”
APRIL 25, 2018 / Time, USA
“How the World’s First Loneliness Minister Will Tackle ‘the Sad Reality of Modern Life'”
“Tracey Crouch knows what it’s like to feel frighteningly alone. After giving birth to her first child, Freddie, in 2016, the British lawmaker says that despite having a “network of friends, family and a wonderful partner,” she began feeling cut off from the world. It wasn’t a new sensation; Crouch says she also suffered from depression six years earlier, when she first became a member of parliament. It felt like she was “in a very dark place, a very lonely place” she recalls.
Crouch’s experiences may inform her new role as the country’s first Minister for Loneliness, a role created by Prime Minister Theresa May in January. “For far too many people, loneliness is the sad reality of modern life,” May said when announcing the new position. According to a report last year from the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness, more than 9 million people in Britain—around 14 percent of the population—often or always feel lonely. That costs U.K. employers up to $3.5 billion annually, according to consumer co-operative CO-OP.”
How the World’s First Loneliness Minister Will Tackle ‘the Sad Reality of Modern Life’
JANUARY 19, 2019 / SATURDAY STAR, SOUTH AFRICA
TECHNOLOGY OF LONELINESS – THE MOST CONNECTED YET LONELIEST GENERATION
“This might be one of the greatest ironies which could go on to define society as we know it.
This paradox has seen billions of individuals and groups connect through the digital world with people from all walks of life around the globe. Modern technology has now allowed engagements and conversations to operate on a continuous basis which are no longer limited to geographical locations or time barriers. You can text, e-mail, video call, Snapchat and upload posts to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest from the comfort of your cellphone. Despite this online revolution, loneliness, which is a catalyst for depression and suicide, remains a worldwide epidemic and is an increasing public health concern.
Longing for human interaction and connection is considered to be at an all-time high as sincerity and authenticity are continually questioned. This was the basis of acclaimed German artist Saysay.love’s latest work, which is set to be showcased in South Africa for the first time next week. His groundbreaking exhibition titled, Intimate Loneliness I Sex with Things, aims to shed light on the argument that humans have become what the artist refers to as “dehumanised, controllable and easy to manipulate”.
“I feel that the effect is that people are creating a fake image of themselves and that as a society we aspire to what I call ‘fake perfection’.
“We are digital mannequins, we disconnect from ourselves as we connect online. We’re becoming like robots: dehumanised.
“For me, love should transcend all this, you should love someone even for their imperfections.”
In a bid to resurrect pleasure and romance, Saysay.love’s latest photography work will take the form of visual activism when it is showcased in Stellenbosch next week and in Johannesburg in March.”
More about SaySay.Love
Saysay.Love is a visual activist who spends his time between Cape Town and Berlin. He has made a name for himself with the series entitled the ‘Gift of Water’ which brought attention to the water crises facing the Western Cape in 2018 and will see him present a new body of work in 2019 touching on themes such as “Faked Perfection”, “intimate loneliness” and “Sex with Things”
SaySay.Love shares his unique way of seeing the world through the work he creates. Born with an optical disability that affects his ability to see the world three-dimensionally, SaySay.Love has a different perspective which comes across in his suggestive and provocative work.
His photography is layered with symbolism and based on his emotional experiences and reflections on the social issues. SaySay.Love is passionate about education and the role it plays in social change, supporting a number of charities with the proceeds of his work.