9 Simple but Powerful Photos Sum Up The Worst Parts of Modern Culture

Culture
By Matt Saccaro

Tinder. Irrational dietary obsessions. Senseless arguments in comment sections and on social media. Constant, soul-draining connection to the Internet.

Artist Adam Mars critiqued these tiresome aspects of the modern Western world in a witty new exhibit at the Gusford Gallery, titled "Once Upon a Time, We Weren't Stalkers." 

Adam Mars, "Once Upon a Time, We Weren't Stalkers," 2014, installation detail./Courtesy of the Artist and GUSFORD.
Adam Mars, "I Stand By My Uninformed Opinion," 2014./Courtesy of the artist and GUSFORD
Adam Mars, "Carpal Tinder Syndrome," 2014/Courtesy of the artist and GUSFORD
Adam Mars, "Once Upon a Time, We Weren't Stalkers," 2014, installation detail./Courtesy of the artist and GUSFORD
Adam Mars, "One Best Day Ever Per Person," 2014./Courtesy of the artist and GUSFORD.

"I was trying to satirize the current state of popular culture and social media as they relate to relationships, voyeurism, and sexual behavior," Mars told Mic. "I tried to create a very contemporary reflection of the times, but also with a conscious nod to our pre-Internet past in order to call attention to how far we've evolved, and devolved, since we got hooked on emojis, the like button, and the symbol formerly known as the 'pound key'"

Mars has taken mainstream culture to task previously. His last exhibit for the Gusford Gallery, Public Privates, also derided the more frivolous aspects of our lives.

Adam Mars, "000,000,001 Views," 2012./Courtesy of the artist and GUSFORD
Adam Mars, "Your Sex Tapes Need Some Sriracha," 2013/Courtesy of the artist and GUSFORD
Adam Mars, "My Favorite Dating Site is a Dive Bar," 2013. /Courtesy of the artist and GUSFORD
Adam Mars, "Re-re-re-re-re-rehab," 2013./Courtesy of the artist and GUSFORD

The takeaway: Perhaps Mars is right and society has sold its soul to swiping and the "Like" button — but it may not be too late to get it back. It's OK to use Tinder, Facebook, Twitter, and other Internet-centric staples of modern life. It's just not OK to be ruled by them.