Compiled by Katy Cowan on 29 July 2020
What exactly is your Tindr or Grindr record? Because I’m sure a person who proudly boasts it really is three full minutes. Then let’s move swiftly on to this satirical and subversive series of illustrations by Natalie Wong that explore the world of modern www.hookupwebsites.org/xmatch-review/ dating if you’re not sure what that means.
Colourful and bold, the electronic artworks in Fast Love address themes of swiping addiction, instant gratification, hookup culture and also the paradox of unlimited option. Basically, they poke enjoyable at dating apps and their effect on love and relationships. Encouraged by the comic guide stylings of Roy Lichtenstein, Natalie whimsically blends imagery of iconic junk food staples and intimately human things, making a visual parody of modern culture that is dating.
“Although apps have actually revolutionised just how people link and tend to be the most impactful disrupters that are social years, dating apps have actually sacrificed relationship in the altar of technical efficiency,” Natalie informs us. “as the notion of having more alternatives appear beneficial, it might, in reality, be harmful to dating. Whenever up against numerous choices, apps allow it to be too an easy task to discard matches over small problems because a feeling is provided by the environment of abundance for better times.”
In the motivation behind combining food that is fast and dating-related pictures, she says: “The similarities between your ease of access, disposability, addicting and consumer-orientated nature of junk food greatly lent itself conceptually and designed for compelling artistic sources inside the narrative i desired to explore.”
We initially see strawberry doughnut with sprinkles if we look at her Glazed and Confused illustration, for example. The sugary decorations are in fact multi-coloured pills with dating app logos on closer inspection. “when utilizing dating apps, you have the vow you are going to match with somebody great, and you also usually get positive reinforcements to help keep searching. Swiping could become addicting and users get a consistent ‘hit’ of validation every time somebody fits using them from the app,” Natalie adds.
The illustration shows the iconic red French fries box with human hearts – implying how dating apps have turned people into cheap commodities and internalised the idea that everyone is readily available for our own personal consumption and enjoyment in it Was All in Vein.
The artist explores the commodification and devaluation of romance throughout the series. a central underlying real question is posed as to whether or not the fault lies with technology or with us. “there was a strong argument that dating apps are big money enterprises which exploit inherently complex individual flaws and weaknesses. Apps make it possible for our culture’s worst desires for efficiency in a place where people, that are trying to find genuine connections, need that is most to resist those impulses,” concludes Natalie.