MASCULINITY: Mature Content Warning #002

This image contrasts ancient rituals with our contemporary moment.

Right: Primal fire of tribal initiation. Photograph by the artist taken in 2018. Left: Commodified sexuality in an attention economy. Image of an Instagram post by fictional character created by the artist.

What was once the metaphorical ""sacred fire"" that forged maturity through ritual has been replaced by artificial validation and separation. What was once a meaningful connection is now diminished to a content warning screen and quick dopamine hit.