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"Alienation" is a captivating series of contemporary Acrylic artworks created by Sameh Khalatbari.

Butterfly Coexistence  | 36" x 48" | Acrylic on Canvas | 2020

"Alienation" is a captivating series of contemporary Acrylic artworks created by Sameh Khalatbari.

Alienation

In my journey to America, specifically Silicon Valley, I was immediately struck by the rapid expansion of technology. Coming from a place where technology was not as prevalent, especially in my role as an artist, I had not paid it much attention. My creative inspiration had always stemmed from the mystical and enigmatic world around me and my immediate surroundings.

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Upon immigrating to the United States, I confronted the challenges of adapting to a new culture and people, while also navigating the pervasive presence of technology in every aspect of my life.

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Particularly in the realm of interpersonal relationships, the profound impact of technology both fascinated and unsettled me. It led me to contemplate how technology can render human connections and identities strained and artificial.

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Delving into the subject, I began to observe and learn about our evolution and our use of technology, particularly through the lens of social media, as a mask to conceal our authentic selves. I embarked on an exploration of relationships in the absence of social media versus the present time. The more I observed, the more tragic it became for me to witness friendships reduced to robotic interactions hidden behind texts or voice messages. I witnessed how relationships had become artificial and devoid of soul, their vibrant colors fading into blackness.

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During this process, I turned my attention to animals, observing the simplicity of their relationships and how they naturally behave in accordance with their inherent instincts. Animals do not need to hide their behavior; they simply act based on their needs, hunting, eating, sleeping, and living authentically. On the other hand, humans often masquerade, concealing their needs, behaviors, and intentions in order to present themselves differently. Some individuals even justify their actions by invoking animalistic norms, while paradoxically, it is humans who exhibit increasingly peculiar behavior as the world progresses, while animals remain unchanged. This trajectory has led humans to grow estranged from their true selves.

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As an artist, I sought to express this theme of alienation through a collection I titled 'Alienation.' Through a fusion of the traditional art of origami and soulless portraits, I aim to depict the human experience of alienation. The origami pieces take the form of animal masks or fragments of animal anatomy, symbolizing a departure from one's innate self. The soulless portraits, adorned with masks, represent the veiled nature of humanity. Robotic figures attempt to conceal their true identities through colored masks and animalistic symbolism. The color palette of this collection has been carefully selected to convey the core concept. The grayscale portraits signify the absence of soul, while vibrant colors in the accompanying elements strive to revive the lost essence of being.

Horse is in the Eye of the Beholder | 36" x 48" | Acrylic on Canvas | 2021

"Alienation" is a captivating series of contemporary Acrylic artworks created by Sameh Khalatbari.

You are not Listening, Rabbit! | 36" x 48"

Acrylic on Canvas | 2022

"Alienation" is a captivating series of contemporary Acrylic artworks created by Sameh Khalatbari.

The Dream of a Fish | 36" x 48"

Acrylic on Canvas | 2022

"Alienation" is a captivating series of contemporary Acrylic artworks created by Sameh Khalatbari.

Hidden In The Rooster  | 36" x 48"  

Acrylic on Canvas | 2021

"Alienation" is a captivating series of contemporary Acrylic artworks created by Sameh Khalatbari.
"Alienation" is a captivating series of contemporary Acrylic artworks created by Sameh Khalatbari.
"Alienation" is a captivating series of contemporary Acrylic artworks created by Sameh Khalatbari.

Neither that Nor This, But The Bird! | 36" x 48"

Acrylic on Canvas | 2018

Loaner Wings | 30" x 48"

Acrylic on Canvas | 2018

Was There An Angle? | 30" x 48"

Acrylic on Canvas | 2019

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