Art Explained: Hot Button

J. Antonio FARFAN Hot Button 2020 25.6 x 19.6 in. (65 x 50cm) Pastel and wax pencil on paper Collection of the Artist The painting's composition centers on the theme of a cycle, mirroring the repetitive nature of life during the pandemic. By using larger shapes, minimal colors, and lush textures I aimed to make the painting more accessible so as to engage the viewer and allow for an immediate connection without requiring the effort of interpreting a more complex or detailed piece.

Hot Button was created during the 2020 pandemic, an unprecedented period that offered profound insights into the effects of prolonged indoor isolation. Confined within our homes, the lines between virtual reality and the actual world blurred. The artwork explores the growing disconnect between humanity and the natural world, intensified by both technology and quarantine. Our innate connection to the outdoors is vital for our physical and psychological well-being. During the lockdown, we absorbed life through screens—phones, computers, televisions—drifting further from this extremely important bond. Hands-on experiences were replaced with virtual interactions, creating a distorted sense of reality. This reliance on technology amplified feelings of anxiety, restlessness, and disorientation, symptoms of a society out of sync with its natural rhythms. Psychologically, the lack of outdoor exposure heightened the negative effects of screen time, contributing to stress and emotional imbalance. The simple act of stepping outside became a luxury, underscoring how nature rebalances our mental state and fosters well-being.

Hot Button symbolizes the conflict between our screen-dominated existence and the healing embrace of the natural world. It serves as a reminder that true restoration lies not in virtual experiences, but in reconnecting with the living environment around us. By immersing ourselves in nature—feeling the breeze, hearing the rustle of leaves, seeing the open sky—we can reclaim the psychological grounding that technology and confinement have eroded