Press & Media (Elements)

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 think that as humans we are becoming more disconnected from each other, which I feel is a result of the digital age,” he told The Saturday Star. “We care more about our online image than what we are like in our ‘real’ lives.”
Saysay.love explained that people are fixated with being perfect in what he described as a “fake” world where we are losing touch with what is really real.