

There is something deeply agonizing about artist Al Margen's pieces. They perfectly encapsulate the litany of existential maladies that we have come to endure and embody in the so-called Age of Connectivity so well, that each viewing can cause a guttural reaction. 

Even the color selection (which is often monochromatic) reflects the dull and somewhat outdated notion of a cut and dry, black and white society when juxtaposed with the nascent complexity of the modern world. There is a lot to unpack here, but what is heartbreaking is how Al manages to symbolize the intricate and seemingly ubiquitous anxiety that accompanies the human experience within a single, concise frame.

Are we doing ourselves a disservice  by allowing technology to take precedence over organic developments and relationships? Why is it so easy to undervalue the spontaneous and natural in favor of the artificial?

What still amazes me is seeing the people gathered at a table and each one looking at his screen, communicating with people who are not there and not communicating with people who are present during the meeting. Absence has taken priority over presence.

I had to reach out and get his opinion on the current societal landscape and his drawings.

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Prox: When it comes to your illustrations, do you find it more difficult to tell an entire story because you only have one frame to do so? Does this force you to become more creative and minimal?


Prox: Where do your insights about the nature of contemporary Western society typically come from?

Al: The ideas for my drawings come from what I see around me. I also draw about things that happen to me. Many times they criticize me saying that I believe myself to be "superior" for pointing out the mistakes of others. What they do not know is that some of my drawings are autobiographical, a self-criticism.

Prox: You have no qualms about tackling mature themes. Why have you chosen this tone for much of your work? What does this say about the average citizen when viewed in this context?


Prox: As the world invests more and more into artificiality, do you think it will eventually become strange to see authenticity in the future? What are the consequences of always being “plugged in” in your opinion?




Prox: While the issues that the world faces may seem insurmountable at times, what do you think we can do today to contribute to a better future? What role can artists play in this restructuring of the current model?




Prox: Final Thoughts?

Al: I greatly appreciate the invitation for the interview. I have noticed that there are several articles on internet pages where they show my drawings, but what I also noticed is that they all say the same thing more or less: "Argentine illustrator criticizes modern society" "20 things that are wrong in society.”

They “copy and paste”, or they extract the basic information from Facebook. They also invent titles to the drawings. They have even put images that are not mine. It is rare that someone takes the time to ask me questions. That's why I'm very grateful for the interview and up to do them any time.

Check out Al's Facebook page for more of his work and updates.
