Still connected

Takashi Hara’s Still Connected is a profound visual commentary on the paradox of connection in the modern age, oscillating between humor, irony, and existential gravity. The composition juxtaposes vibrant figurative elements within an abstracted framework, creating a dialogue between the personal and the universal, the absurd and the profound. The central figure—a dark, grinning mask with a bold red nose—dominates the piece with a carnival-esque intensity. Rendered in thick, gestural strokes, the mask embodies a chaotic duality: the clownish façade of joy and the unsettling undertone of isolation. The exaggerated grin and spiraling, hollow eyes suggest an emotional dissonance that feels unnervingly familiar in a world increasingly mediated by screens and curated personas. To the right, Hara presents two strikingly simplified yet symbolically rich forms: a circular orange orb and a stylized depiction of Earth, set against a cool blue. The orange, echoing the red nose, vibrates with intensity, perhaps representing individuality or raw emotion. The Earth, by contrast, situates the work within a collective, planetary context, emphasizing the tension between personal isolation and global interconnection. The background, layered with translucent text repeating “connected,” “alone,” and “we are all connected,” functions as a conceptual underpinning for the piece. These words, scrawled in varying degrees of legibility, create a visual texture while reinforcing the work’s thematic exploration of simultaneous unity and fragmentation. The phrase “still connected” resonates with an almost desperate optimism, challenging the viewer to reflect on what connection truly means in an age defined by both hyperconnectivity and profound alienation.

Created By

Takashi Hara