Laurel Canyon Social Network 

Alex Gross created "Laurel Canyon Social Network," sometime after 1968, using oil on canvas. The painting constructs a hyper-real scene dominated by a figure looking at her phone, surrounded by floating heads and bright pink circles, almost like digital confetti. Gross layers the composition with signs of modern disconnection. The floating heads, rendered in unnatural colors, could represent digital profiles disconnected from physical presence. The circles act as disruptive elements, fracturing the space and unsettling the gaze. The breakfast scene is set in sharp relief against the dreamy, blue-skied backdrop, creating a sense of dissonance. The painting challenges our perception of reality, prompting us to consider how social media mediates our interactions and fragments our attention. The artist uses formal elements to question the illusion of connection in the digital age. By destabilizing our sense of space and presence, Gross reflects the paradox of being hyper-connected yet isolated.