*"Lonely Boys" is an evocative exploration of connection and isolation in the digital age, seamlessly blending traditional painting with cutting-edge augmented reality. This 22” x 22” acrylic on canvas depicts two figures in an intimate embrace, their physical closeness contrasting with the emotional distance created by the glow of their smartphones. The angular cityscape around them amplifies this tension—a cold, structured backdrop to the fragile warmth of human touch.
But this painting doesn’t stop at the canvas. Through an immersive augmented reality experience, "Lonely Boys" invites viewers to uncover hidden layers of its story, turning the artwork into a living narrative.
Tap into Connection:
- The Smartphones: Scan the phones in the painting to reveal imagined text messages between the figures, showcasing the bittersweet reality of modern relationships. Their conversation is achingly familiar: “What are you doing?” “Just scrolling.”
- The Open Window: Interact with the open window to let light spill into the room, accompanied by soft ambient sounds of wind and birds, symbolizing hope and the possibility of reconnection.
- The Cityscape: Tap the urban background to trigger flickering lights and faint city noises, emphasizing the cold disconnect of urban life compared to the warmth of human presence.
This unique integration of art and technology transforms the experience, challenging viewers to reflect on their own relationship with technology, intimacy, and presence.
The immersive experience is accessible via a subtle QR code embedded in the painting’s frame, allowing viewers to step into the artwork’s world through their phone or tablet. As the digital layers unfold, "Lonely Boys" becomes more than a painting—it becomes a moment, a question, and an invitation to pause and reconnect."*
Artist’s Insight:
*"‘Lonely Boys’ came from a deeply personal realization about how much our devices shape the way we connect. I had just returned from Brazil, where I experienced a culture of warmth, openness, and presence that felt so grounding. Coming back to the fast-paced hum of everyday life, I saw the stark contrast in how we interact—physically close but often worlds apart emotionally.
The figures in the painting are caught in that paradox. They’re holding each other, but their attention is absorbed elsewhere. The cityscape around them is structured, impersonal, and cold, a visual metaphor for how our surroundings sometimes echo the disconnection we feel inside.
Adding the augmented reality experience felt like a natural extension. The glowing phones, the open window, and the flickering city lights let viewers step deeper into this world—making the disconnection feel personal and real. The text messages, subtle animations, and ambient sounds ask the viewer a simple but profound question: When was the last time you truly looked at the person in front of you?
‘Lonely Boys’ isn’t just about the challenges of modern connection—it’s about reminding ourselves that reconnection is always possible, but we have to choose it.”*
Key Features:
- Original Acrylic Painting: A 22” x 22” hand-painted work capturing the raw duality of connection and isolation in contemporary life.
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Augmented Reality Layers: Dive into the story with interactive AR elements:
- Text Conversations: Tap the smartphones to reveal fictional but familiar text messages.
- Animated Light: Interact with the open window to illuminate the room with light and hope.
- Soundscapes: Tap the cityscape to hear ambient noises, deepening the sense of urban disconnection.
- Exclusive Artwork: As part of the artist’s private collection, "Lonely Boys" is not for sale but serves as the centerpiece for exhibitions and immersive experiences.
- Timeless Relevance: A reflection of our present-day reality that challenges us to rethink connection and presence.
"Step beyond the canvas and into the story. Discover the hidden layers of Lonely Boys—where art, technology, and human connection collide."