Title: Technologica
Year Completed: 2021/22
Size: 90"x64"
Technical: Acrylics on unstretched canvas

My Spangled Banners, the United States of my Heart, is a thirteen-flag series that reflects on the concept of patriotism and what it means to be American. Born in the controversial 2020 presi-dential election times, the flags reflect on the American past, American political and societal divisions, and American fears and common points. The three flags chosen for Incubo D'Artista explore the themes of fear during the Covid pandemic, fear of the nation dumbing down in a staccato Tik Tok dance, and fear of alienation as AI technology, drones and video games take over society. Mass shootings in schools, sun-deprived American teenagers lost in their phones, I Pads and I phones, drones, ear buds and Skull Candy... all this technology has aleniated indi-viduals from each other. Minecraft, Roblox and Sus characters are among us, they have now re-placed talking to each other. It feels cold and alienating, as the cold blue hues that dominate the palette. Yet, like cotton candy or soothing pills, technology has coated us like a reassuring pillow. Each of us sinks into our comfort zone, forgetting how to connect other than virtually.