The way technology encompasses our mind, creates a diverse atmosphere where we are trying to create a relationship with anyone with an account on the internet. Every time we meet someone they have a twitter profile or a Facebook feed or an Instagram account, this changes the way that we look at a  random person any time we meet them. The image above, “Mobile Lovers”, was created by Banksy, an english based graffiti artist. In addition to being an artist he is also a political activist and much of his work reflects his views. Technology is supposed to help us connect but really it’s keeping us apart. The situation depicted in the photo above is something we see every day; two people that are with each other but not engaged with each other. They are too preoccupied with social media and their cell phones to appreciate each others presence. More often than not, social media is pushing us apart rather than bringing us closer, which is its main purpose. 

The visual text is something everybody can relate to. Although a couple is featured in the artwork, the power struggle between technology and relationships effects more than just couples; it effects everyone. Relationships have been failing more recently and more often due to social media and technology in the modern world. It is easy for things to become viral and spread false information when dealing with social media because there is such a large following. It takes only minutes for the majority of the world to find out information through the internet.

The image itself portrays a very dark context; the only colors used are black, grey, dark blue and white. A major characteristic of the color black is detachment. As we can see, the main theme of this image is detachment and the power struggle between us, as humans, and technology. Another trait of the color black gives the aura of elegance and formality. The couple featured is wearing formalwear, such as business attire. They appear to be a professional couple, but their actions are unprofessional. They have poor social skills and their priorities are in different places. The blue hues illuminating from the screens onto the couples faces The only source of light is coming solely from the phone screens. This expresses the importance that our phones have on us. At the same time they can cause havoc upon our lives and ruin the relationships we have created with other people. 

According to a 2013 study by the app maker Locket which states that the average person unlocks their phone 110 times a day. We have become so reliant on our mobile devices that we sometimes prioritize and put them first over humans. It is tearing up our relationships and our social skills. So many people have become reliant on social media and have lost a lot of key communication skills and now as a population are declining socially. 

One major problem that has resulted from our increase in phone usage is our addiction with social media. So many people have become obsessed with likes, favorites and followers that it can often consume one’s life. A lot of the younger population let their lives revolve around their social media status and their social standing which can effect our relationships and social standing with people. It can often consume someones life and effect their mental health which can sometimes be dangerous. 

In todays day in age, people make assumptions of others through social media without having ever said one word to one another. In the image, by Banksy, he strongly depicts the visual that the man and woman are hugging, yet both on their phones, preoccupied by things that truly have no meaning. Instead of getting to know each other and engaging in conversation, they are sucked into their phones, and not living in the moment. With all the technology and electronics at our fingertips it is hard not to get sucked into the social media world. However, being on a phone, or a computer, or etc, causes us not to look at what is right in front of us and what truly matters. Every once in a while it is nice to put your electronics away and live life without contact with the outside media. Living in the moment is something not many people are capable to do anymore, and it is because of all the technology that surrounds us. The ironic part about this visual is that the man is holding his phone behind the woman, and while she is oblivious to what he is doing, she is doing the same thing. This gives the image a powerful outlook because it strongly represents the overuse of electronic devices, specifically cell phones in our society. After seeing this image, Banksy teaches us that next time we catch ourselves preoccupied with our electronics, we should take a break and look at what is right in front of us.

“Mobile Lovers” by Banksy, an anonymous graffiti artist, illustrates the growing struggle between technology and humans. As we learn to exist in this world with technology, we create a need to locate each other and learn all the information about every person we meet. More often than not, each person we meet has a social media account which depicts what they want us to believe rather than what often is the case.
