Sasha Gransjean Uses Humour to Make Social Commentary in Photo Series

Sasha Gransjean is a new media artist, photographer & award-winning filmmaker, currently based between Los Angeles and Shanghai. Working with various forms of visual media, Sasha’s current works explore the idolization of consumerism and digital vs. physical trash. In ‘Hollywood Hell’ & ‘Trashy Selfies’ Sasha presents vital social commentary that makes us question our own personal agendas and priorities in this modern digital age.

Hollywood Hell

Clichés abound in a fashion frenzy for the best apocalyptic look as Hollywood burns all around us. The protagonists of this series are looking too good to care about anything BUT that perfect selfie while drones come for us with our thirty minutes or less Prime deals of the day. Is that chicken on fire or is that a to-go order from KFC? Hollywood Hell was inspired by actual events, names have been changed to get more likes and plays than those people and forget about the innocent.

“The LA wildfire season (crazy there actually is such a thing!) of 2018 was the deadliest EVER so I crassly made fun of this horrible tragedy in these pics. Bad jokes are a side effect of global warming apparently.”
“Seriously though, sometimes the thing you wanted to make is just inexplicable like, ‘why do I need to have Hollywood burn in the back of these pics?’. There’s just some sort of catharsis that happens when making something that feels silly even though it’s serious. We’re fucked but yeah let’s not make a big deal out of it or anything.”

Credits

Trashy Selfies – digital photos, 2017-2019

In a humorous effort to question our relationships with the internet and social media as well as the audience and their relationship with art, Trashy Selfies explores the “art selfie” in a way that simultaneously pokes fun at the importance of artwork and the constant demand for new content that is readily shareable. In this new economy of art, how long will it be before all that is left to share is the waste of consumerism?

“Trashy Selfies was just a prediction of what to expect in the near future. Almost like thinking about next year’s new SS collection. Now it’s like so 2018. Trash is already passé but the zeitgeist will still come around and get a few more onboard before we put all our trash inspired looks back in the closet!”