Detached

In Detached, I explore the paradox of feeling isolated while being surrounded by others—a disconnection that lingers beneath the surface of daily interactions. This series reflects the invisible barrier that often separates individuals from truly connecting, even in environments filled with social ties and community. Living in a world that seems more connected than ever, many of us still experience profound loneliness, caught between external relationships and internal solitude.

This work is deeply personal, drawn from my own experience as an international student from Iran living in the United States. Despite building friendships and navigating social spaces, I often feel detached, as if there is an unspoken distance between myself and the world around me. The process of adapting to a new culture, language, and way of life has revealed how cultural and emotional gaps can intensify feelings of isolation. This sense of detachment feels like an invisible layer that dulls experiences and prevents deeper emotional engagement.

In modern society, where constant interaction is encouraged, isolation is often overlooked or dismissed. People become preoccupied with their own lives, unintentionally ignoring the quiet struggles of others. Social connections can become superficial, offering little comfort to those who silently wrestle with loneliness. This project is an attempt to capture that quiet, often unseen emotional space a place where presence and absence coexist.

Detached invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences with isolation and the ways societal dynamics can heighten feelings of disconnection. It questions how we engage with others and challenges the assumption that being surrounded by people equates to belonging. Through this work, I aim to reveal the complex layers of human connection, vulnerability, and the silent spaces we inhabit within a crowded world.