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Rafael Alvarez is a Spanish illustrator whose works portray painfully familiar scenarios. Except the artist creates his illustrations in a way that highlights a completely different angle. An angle that is usually quite shocking.
The ability to shock seems to be a vital component of the artist's illustrations - even required to challenge the minds of content readers whose attention span gets only smaller with each passing day. According to the artist, although it's difficult, it's important to tell the difference between sensationalism and truth or else we run a risk of losing our critical thinking and ability to care about anything at all.
So scroll down and see for yourself!
More info: alvarezrafa.com
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Ozacoter 7 years ago (edited)
Actually university is quite 'cheap' in Spain (compared to other countries like USA). The problem here is the high unemployment rate of young people with high education.
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Jackie Burnham 7 years ago
Rare case but my stepmom is a molecular biochemist at Brown University and my dad is a high school dropout contractor and he makes double what she makes
Night Owl 7 years ago
A college degree doesn't guarantee a well paying job and a successful career right after graduation
Bob Beltcher 7 years ago (edited)
It used to mean a good paying job before graduating. Now oversaturation means most companies want you to have the degree and some experience already.
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TheBlackPanda 7 years ago (edited)
They talk about college like it's a necessity but it's priced like a luxury.
Asia 7 years ago
You know you don't have to study & get the loan to be successful in life, right...?
Rose the Cook 7 years ago
A reference to the fact that many university graduates are among the long term unemployed. I think.
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#2
holo it's me 7 years ago
omg... almost scrolled past it before i saw your comment
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Last Hurrah 7 years ago
The artist wanted to make an apparently normal image but full of visual contradictions. He drew tattoos intertwining with the arms and bodies making the hug impossible. The predominant "never together" tattoo could only be read when the couple is actually close to each other, becoming another paradox.
Anna Lourie 6 years ago
Woow. You screwed my mind with your explaination. Thanks
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#3
My Alter Ego 7 years ago
Love this! The spaced out-couple - despite the socially progressive posters on the walls - are in fact totally out of touch with the real world, hypnotised and rendered unconscious to the brutal reality of the world around them, as indicated by the tank bursting through the window while they lie unaware ... Reminds me of a certain newspaper's motto which reads: "Democracy dies in the darkness" ...
Rob Chapman 7 years ago
MLK, Obama.............and Che? One of those is not like the others.....
Jackie Burnham 7 years ago
I commented on the wrong picture and don't know how to delete this! Oops! Please ignore!
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#4
Blakkur Sverrir 7 years ago
Actually selling this kind of "mobile phone holder" would probably lower the number af accidents
Tyler Cook 7 years ago
Aren't bear traps activated when something presses down in the middle not when weight is removed? Should've been a large mouse trap.
Denise Melek 7 years ago
You pull over and switch on the warning signals. Then you call.
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Gloria Simpson 7 years ago
A great idea for ALL motorists who cannot drive one block without their cell phones! hey! no more car accidents, just the 'lost fingers' - cannot call 'accidents'
Olivia Matovich 7 years ago
The meaning behind this one is to don't text and drive, or you will get trapped and perhaps lose your hand in the incident :3
#5
Giovanni 7 years ago (edited)
I Know that this probably has a profound meaning, but the only thing that it says to me is: she had a wild party but mom called over skype before she could fix the mess, nothing negative.
Mo 7 years ago
I think it's about the way we portray ourselves online, how we only let people see what we want them to see.
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My Alter Ego 7 years ago
What a powerful image - the girl at the PC portrays herself as an innocent young childlike naïve, complete with teddy bear in the background (symbolic of feigned childhood?) while the reality of her sordid life lurks in the shadows ... Social media lets us show the world what we want it to see, to reveal of ourselves that which we want to reveal, or even to create a total fantasy that has no bearing whatsoever on reality ...
Jennifer Erdossy 7 years ago
I like how many different ways there are to interpret this one, that all have the same root: We show the world what we choose to show, but it may or may not be based in reality.
Last Hurrah 7 years ago
From an article that talked about Skype´s anniversary and its impact on relationships.
#6
Kimberly Weixel 7 years ago (edited)
Looks like the federal reserve eating away at retirement savings by printing more money & causing inflation.
Bob Beltcher 7 years ago
I get the point but it's wrong. Government is not ruining his safety net. Big business that spend millions of dollars control government is what is ruining everyone's safety net. Government has been going down hill since the 60s when business started lobbying and influencing decisions. Since then, government has become less for the people and more for corporate profit.
Kim Lorton 7 years ago
America’s destruction of her own, and the true history of what happened..not some book fixed to bias the reader.
Dorothy Parker 7 years ago
SOCIAL SECURITY IS AN ENTITLEMENT! Sorry your pension fund went to the CEO's buyout. The execs took that 14 million and they're closing the auto plants anyway. And many, many more.
#7
Misty Summers 6 years ago
This so damn cool. It definitely shows how the media fails to show us the bigger picture and refuses to tell us the truth.
Noodle Nio 7 years ago
I think this is more like the news only makes us see what it wants us to see
#8
Miklós Nagy 7 years ago
So, that geek is actually a sexual predator who is looking at his new victim?
David Butler 7 years ago
If the girl's coloring suggests she's "Little Red Riding Hood", then the boy's wolf-silhouette -- along with his sweat drop and her gaze -- represents his desire to be her "friend" was purely carnal in nature. The glow from the computer screen revealing his "true nature" could means that this was how she found out.
Marti Coppage 7 years ago
The boy at the computer recognizes that the girl is already in the clutches of the wolf. He's sweating because he sees her danger but doesn't know what to do.
Baron Simone Von Bianco 7 years ago
80s Teen Horror B-Movie in a drawing: Guy with hat is actually a werewolf whom inner instincts are trying to tell him to unleash the beast. We clearly see he's sweating like mad after a glimpse at the popular girl in the school. She's way out of his league but strangely seems sensing something fierce, wild coming from the "loser"...like a supernatural force. Will she allow his fangs near her ? (cue some cool synthwave love song....)
Dorothy Parker 7 years ago (edited)
I think the student at the computer (a geek because he studies the sciences?) is seeing her with the taller guy (stereotypical jock) and that is who the predator is. The positioning of his hand over her breast of off-putting. The young woman is looking at him with longing and a bit of "save me." If the seated student were the predator I think there might have been some indication in the content on the computer, on his walls, something.
#9
Jasmine PT 7 years ago
Damn when I looked at the phone though. This shows people marry for the wrong reasons and are not ready to get married. She can't even realistically love her new husband. Eventually the VR glasses will have to come off.
#10
Night Owl 7 years ago
Video game monsters coming to life and looks like the son lost. The rest of the family looks so happy they beat him in the game they don't even mind the monsters are getting him. Well, video games do try to be immersive
Nervous Chaos 7 years ago
Let's hear it for America's Suitehearts! (for those of you who didn't understand this it's a Fall Out Boy referance)
#11
Kim Lorton 7 years ago
That is a very profound statement, J. I really love it. It’s sad, but true.
Dorothy Parker 7 years ago
The coming of the dark reminds me so much of The Neverending Story AND A Wrinkle in Time. Keep fighting, keep reading.
#12
Phoebe Bean 7 years ago
So depressing these illustrations. I'll go and see the cute foxes pictures by the Finnish photographer.
B 7 years ago
Sadly a lot of these are so depressing because they're such an accurate portrayal of modern life...
Load More Replies... Sonder Along 7 years ago
Wether or not we go to school we still carry the weight of those at the top who abuse their power.
Dahlia Sunshine 7 years ago
I like it how it's written shiksha on it. Education is a rarity in rural areas of India. I'm guessing it's based on rural children.
My Alter Ego 7 years ago
This is history repeating. The horrors of child labour of Victorian England are now happening all over again in the developing world. The same fat capitalist is guilty - profiting from the blood, sweat and tears of children - all the while totally indifferent to their wellbeing. Instead of a future offered by education the child is being used to line the pockets of the fat capitalist bastard ... the child can take one path or the other, but is being led by the hand down the path where he will have no future and almost certainly die young, paid a pittance (if anything) in some s****y garment factory or something even worse.
My Alter Ego 7 years ago
From the sign I imagine this is a comment on the exploitation of children in the third world (India?) + the clothing of the stereotypical "fat capitalist" makes a clear reference to the Dickensian type of child labour of Victorian England, where kids under ten were often worked to death in unsafe conditions or died from syphilis because they were abused as child prostitutes.
#13
Kenny Kulbiski 7 years ago
I really like this one but if it has a message other than romance is nice I'm missing it.
Lulu Sanchez Avalloni 7 years ago
also, she's not hugging him, I think she's dead... oh god...
Kenny Kulbiski 7 years ago
Jeez, dead people and eyes. Thanks for the answers . Ignorance is bliss I guess.
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Jonny Chevalier 7 years ago
she does not look like she is involved. more like she is drugged...
Doreen Buccigrossi 7 years ago
Some of the trees seem to be supplicating, the headlights are creepy AF, & the whole scene is akilter.
#14
Dorothy Parker 7 years ago
The freedom of the press is grave danger. The pOTUS bans certain reporters because they challenge him. If you can't stand up the press, how can you stand up to the rest of us? People are being told don't believe the press, fake news. There has always been propaganda and lies (remember the movie Mr. Smith Goes to Washington?) However, we have stood up to it. Now the press is being silenced. Welcome to the Gulag.
Kim Lorton 7 years ago
Sometimes, there is nothing mor ugly than the truth, so hard to look at, and also liberating. Therein lies the beauty of honesty.
Jonny Chevalier 7 years ago
do you wonder what the secret service thinks about what they are asked to do???
Hard Cyder 7 years ago
The secret service forcibly silencing journalism. Seems pretty clear this it referring to the Trump Whitehouse.
Lyka Consulta - Ebuenga 7 years ago
there is the word "PRESS" on his ID. He's not a politician. He's from the media.
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#15
Anna Lourie 7 years ago
the same pic, two times? and a german text above? I don't think this one is from the spanish illustrator, especially because they look alike but have different styles.
Amanda Abel 7 years ago
HE IS A SPANISH ILLUSTRATOR LIVING IN BERLIN. FYI
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Jana Renner 7 years ago
"Just a part of your own life is visible during/through video chat.What happens beyond (outside) remains a secret sometimes."
Marie-Charlotte Popp 7 years ago
It's the idea that your "online persona" only reflects what you want it to. Not who you actually are.
Silver Bride 7 years ago (edited)
The quote states sth like this: Only a part of your life can be seen through the video-mobile. What is going on beyond that remains sometimes a secret.
Linouchka 99 7 years ago
The text says : "Only an excerpt of ones own life becomes visible through facetime :what happens outside of it sometimes remains a secret"
#16
Milos Gajic 7 years ago
There is a Japanese film Battle Royale similar to Hunger Games - kids compete and kill each other on some island, this references that (probably plus some deeper meaning I'm failing to see...).
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Miklós Nagy 7 years ago
It looks more like a cover illustration to the book than a "Thought-Provoking Illustration".
Kim Lorton 7 years ago
To some kids, with the bullying, it is a battle royals, every single day. This is why it should not be tolerated ever.
Marcus Morningstar 7 years ago
Fortnite is a Battle Royal Game and you start in a Bus.Many Kids are playing it cause the grafic is kinda cute.
Livy Drexler 7 years ago
I think it’s refercing the over competiveness of schools and education, or even the cut throat battle for success.
Sivan Bouchami 7 years ago
For me, this picture reminds me of a situation that is happening in my country. They culled the system of financial help for students to study; instead of free financial support it has become a loan now. There is fear that this turns in a 'battle royal'. Where children with less money have to fight harder to achieve the same as children in a better financial situation. Thus a, not literal, fight for your right and survival ot he fittest amongst children. But I guess how you translate this picture depends on what happens in your country. Which makes is relevant for a lot of people all over the world; so powerfull art.
Meyer Weinstock 7 years ago
School buses are often torture chambers for many children here in the US. Drivers have little support, training, or authority to support bullied children.
#17
Baron Simone Von Bianco 7 years ago
The only meaning I get is that the "painter" (very unskilled) just used an "artistic" pretest to see the girl naked, like the ancient excuse "I'm a producer and I'm going to make you a star". After some time she'll ask him "how it's going?" and he, with a long string of drool next to the side of his mouth..."hmmm ? ah yes! fine, very fine". Just a simple pervert, no hidden powerful message hidden anywhere.
Refunes de la Mandrágora 7 years ago
you do not see the illuminated heart around her?
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Miklós Nagy 7 years ago
Yep, our fear to show a female nipple is really a serious problem if ask me.
Christopher Mack 7 years ago
Did you dipshits not see how the model is "framed" by the lighting in the shape of a heart?
Mont 7 years ago
He's just using his finger to make his brush strokes more accurate. It's a common thing painters do. Using the smallest finger means the least amount of canvas is being touch by your hand.
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#18
Vanessa Galvan 7 years ago
I think this is very few people are real anymore or very few people see things as they truly are.
David Viesta 7 years ago
Or maybe they forgot to tell the man it was a costume party.
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the Lemon Queen 6 years ago
Makes me think of a line in a song "Hoping our lie doesn't fade/in this masquerade" lyrics up for interpretation but I see it as hoping the lies we tell others about ourselves don't fall to bits, because then they will see the true us and that's terrifying,
Amanda Lawshe 7 years ago
The perfect person for you may be just across the room, if you could only see past the distractions
#19
#20
Mieke Sorée 7 years ago
I see him as some kind of charming predator. His haircolour looks like tiger stripes.
Baron Simone Von Bianco 7 years ago
Beautiful girl entangled by the supernatural charms of her captor, whom appears to have the strange hobby of killing.
#21
Vanessa Galvan 7 years ago
We've strayed from the true spirit of Christmas for the sake of material things.
Dorothy Parker 7 years ago
Santa has enslaved his elves and reindeer for far too long. They're finally retaliating.
Mpati Toyana 7 years ago
Or that they are handing out to everyone without Santa's list which has only the chosen few and can afford them. The elves are also dressed like Robin Hood
#22
SunflowersAreGold 7 years ago
The decisions and mental health of past generations can have an impact on the future.
Kk Hulce 7 years ago
Completely agree. My mom was raped and treated like trash by her mom. I was molested by my brother and my mom's more interested in me not breaking up the family. IDGAF My bro told me "Get f****d b***h, and stay f****d" I havent spoken to him in 3 months 😊
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Sonder Along 7 years ago
Don't focus on the unpleasant things, instead focus on the good -- you'll be happier for it.
#23
Last Hurrah 7 years ago
Published in Playboy Magazine for the short story "Circuit Builders" by Don Peteroy.
#24
Jonny Chevalier 7 years ago
we are so involved with doing nothing in our lives we are self destructing. which is how we get the politicians we have..
Niki Wright 7 years ago
Such a beautiful day to take our sorrows away, for but a moment in time? Or maybe forever.
#25
Last Hurrah 7 years ago
Another illustration for the short story "Circuit Builders" by Don Peteroy, published in Playboy Magazine.
Grazina Strolia 7 years ago
Christina's World is rocked, she CAN walk, she just had bottles stuck in her dress?
#26
Sonder Along 7 years ago
Victims are everywhere and the other half of the population is only now starting to wake up to that. (Hint: Look at the two women. They both look worried. The men have their backs turned and seem oblivious except for the one reading the paper.)
Dorothy Parker 7 years ago
The woman on the right looks like she's been grabbed. The rest are oblivious.
David Viesta 7 years ago
Such a deep meaning: Bring an umbrella with you to avoid getting wet when it rains. So inspiring.
berrybobmc 7 years ago
that's not a monster that's the back of someone's head
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#27
Add New Image
What do you think ?
The Girl on Fire 7 years ago
Wow, thought-provoking illustrations that are about the evils of technology! Haven't seen this on BP before..... That being said, the non-technology ones were pretty good and definitely well-drawn.
fruit_panda 7 years ago
The illustration style is gorgeous but some of the messages could be a little more nuanced...
Miklós Nagy 7 years ago
Good news: no facebook logo this time. Bad news: still too heavy emphasis on smartphones.
Linouchka 99 7 years ago
I find it annoying that someone ALWAYS uses the first comment to explain what the picture is about. It's either so obvious it doesn't need any explanation, or it's not, and I'd like to think for myself, thank you very much. It's not really subtle; it's like explaining a joke you just told : "Got it ? Got it ?" Eyeroll...
Dorothy Parker 7 years ago
That's what comments are for. Don't look until you've ruminated.
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The Girl on Fire 7 years ago
Wow, thought-provoking illustrations that are about the evils of technology! Haven't seen this on BP before..... That being said, the non-technology ones were pretty good and definitely well-drawn.
fruit_panda 7 years ago
The illustration style is gorgeous but some of the messages could be a little more nuanced...
Miklós Nagy 7 years ago
Good news: no facebook logo this time. Bad news: still too heavy emphasis on smartphones.
Linouchka 99 7 years ago
I find it annoying that someone ALWAYS uses the first comment to explain what the picture is about. It's either so obvious it doesn't need any explanation, or it's not, and I'd like to think for myself, thank you very much. It's not really subtle; it's like explaining a joke you just told : "Got it ? Got it ?" Eyeroll...
Dorothy Parker 7 years ago
That's what comments are for. Don't look until you've ruminated.
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