During the pandemic, we all learned how to connect and disconnect — from one another and from ourselves. We are going through a period in which, consciously or unconsciously, we open and close drawers. We search for shelters, comforts, and hopes. Or at least we try.

The mural presents the concept of “Metareality”, a fusion between physical and digital reality, where technology and the internet become the primary space for interaction, collaboration, and social existence. In this universe, the boundaries between the real and the virtual become blurred, while screens transform into gateways to an infinite space of connections, knowledge, and experiences.

Portrait of Mădălina Pavăl.

Through its central figure, the mural reflects our position and attitude within contemporary society. The composition incorporates elements that reference the corporate lifestyle and the ongoing search for balance amid a fast-paced life shaped by addictions, influences, and disappointments.

Mural created as part of the SISAF 2021 project.

This mural is part of the group exhibition “Urban Elevation” by Molotow.

Social media algorithms create personalized, closed environments that reinforce our existing beliefs while, paradoxically, isolating us. This can lead to increasing polarization, while the spread of misinformation may have devastating consequences.

Each user lives within a “micro-universe” shaped by algorithmically curated content. This limits exposure to new ideas, diverse perspectives, and the complexity of reality.

At the same time, in the digital realm, we construct our own alternative realities through social media. Each virtual world reflects a distinct set of values, aspirations, and priorities. One of these worlds is nature—a digital refuge where ecological balance is represented through idyllic virtual landscapes.

Another is the astral world, where spirituality and the search for connection with a greater universe take center stage. Here, technology becomes a tool for introspection and imagination. The astral realm symbolizes the desire to transcend both physical limitations and conventional ways of thinking.

We all have a role to play, forming part of a narrative rooted in the past, with branches reaching toward the future. The five levitating figures represent distinct characters, suggesting ideas of balance, connection, and transcendence.

The pillars of a healthy society are solidarity, community, cooperation, empathy, and innovation. Their levitation symbolizes the power of these values to elevate us beyond our limitations and help us build a better social model.

The mural captures a moment in which two generations sit together on a bench, quietly contemplating the world around them. The cosmic atmosphere evokes both the vastness of the universe and the infinite possibilities that lie ahead.

The contrast between the boundless expanse of space and the intimate relationship between the grandfather and his granddaughter highlights the idea that, no matter how much the world evolves or how many changes the future may bring, our most fundamental human connections and shared wisdom remain essential.

The paintings exhibited in the windows of the Apollonia Cultural Bench explore the impact of globalization and the growing presence of social media in our daily lives, revealing how art itself can become a mechanism that transmits and generates emotions.

Cyber Playground