French photographer Sacha Goldberger presents two compelling exhibitions that showcase his unique ability to blend reality with imagination. "Augmented Solitude," running from September 12 to October 12, 2025, at Place de la Concorde in Paris, addresses elderly isolation through artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Meanwhile, "Daydreams," exhibited from September 17 to October 29, 2025, at Galerie XII in Paris's 4th arrondissement, takes viewers on a surreal journey through the American West.
Known for transforming superheroes into everyday characters and his baroque "Mamika" series featuring his grandmother, Goldberger continues to challenge the boundaries between documentary and fantasy photography. His latest works demonstrate his commitment to exploring collective mythologies while maintaining an intimate, personal dimension that has become his trademark.
"Augmented Solitude" emerged from a collaboration with Photoclimat and the association Petits Frères des Pauvres, which supports isolated elderly people. The project features eight seniors aged 77 to 90, whose imaginary companions are brought to life through AI-generated imagery and augmented reality technology developed by Les Filles du 9 novembre.
"It felt natural to build the series around humanity and solitude, while bringing in a playful touch with artificial intelligence and augmented reality," Goldberger explained. During the photo shoots, he recorded the participants' wishes and desires for companionship, which he then used to prompt AI-generated elements in the images. The virtual friends can be discovered through augmented reality when viewers scan the photographs with their phones.
The elderly subjects shared deeply personal stories, often centered around love and loss. Goldberger was particularly moved by Daniel, who hasn't left his home in over six years and writes daily letters to his deceased wife. "Each of them has a story – their story. The common thread I noticed was often about love, and the loss of a partner," the photographer noted.
When asked about their dream encounters, the participants chose diverse figures including Simone Veil, Jesus, Bruce Lee, Napoleon, and Meryl Streep. These choices became their AI-generated companions in the photographs. Goldberger deliberately designed the virtual friends to appear otherworldly, ensuring viewers immediately understand they are imaginary and cannot replace real human connection.
"I've always tried to denounce certain realities through humor and irony," Goldberger said. "I hope this playful series will raise awareness about our elders' needs of human presence and connection. Screens are taking up more and more space in our lives, often at the expense of those closest to us."
The project's paradoxical nature is intentional. While using cutting-edge technology, it emphasizes the irreplaceable value of genuine human interaction. When viewers access the augmented reality features, they hear the elderly subjects' testimonies while watching "cold, lifeless virtual images," creating what Goldberger describes as "a meeting that never really happens."
The choice of Place de la Concorde for the exhibition reflects the importance Goldberger places on the subject matter. "I think the subject is so important that it deserves the Place de la Concorde," he stated. "We have a responsibility toward our elders. At their age, we will reap what we have sown."
In contrast to the social commentary of "Augmented Solitude," "Daydreams" represents a more personal exploration of imagination and memory. The series draws inspiration from Goldberger's childhood exposure to American black-and-white films, westerns, and war movies introduced by his father. During a trip to Los Angeles for his "Alien Love" exhibition, he captured images of the American landscape that formed the foundation for this surreal series.
"The American Dream is part of my personal dreams," Goldberger reflected. "I love this vision of California that takes me away from the hardships of daily life. That, I believe, is the role of literature, cinema, and photography." The series features sun-drenched deserts, forgotten motels, and enigmatic characters that seem to emerge from the subconscious.
The photographer describes the characters in "Daydreams" as having individual stories, similar to David Lynch's "Twin Peaks" characters. His influences span surrealist photography (Man Ray, Lee Miller, Hans Bellmer), science fiction literature (Isaac Asimov, Philip K. Dick, H.G. Wells), and classic cinema ("Once Upon a Time in the West," John Wayne films, "Yellowstone").
Artificial intelligence played a crucial role in creating "Daydreams," allowing Goldberger to visualize images that would be impossible through traditional photography alone. "I couldn't have made this series without AI," he admitted. "It allowed me to reveal certain images that are inconceivable in photography. I see its use in this context as a gift."
The exhibition combines prints on Japanese paper with a presentation as part of the collective show "Fiction(s) du réel." Every element, from paper choice to framing, is designed to immerse viewers in a dreamlike state. "Everything in the series is meant to immerse us in a dream," Goldberger explained. "They support the images in conveying a floating vision of a blurred reality much like dreams themselves."
Surrealism remains a significant influence in Goldberger's work, and "Daydreams" draws on imagination in a way similar to automatic writing. The narrative remains deliberately open-ended and enigmatic, inviting viewers to project their own interpretations and find personal meaning in the abstract imagery.
Goldberger's dual exhibitions demonstrate photography's evolving role in contemporary art, where traditional techniques merge with artificial intelligence to create new forms of visual storytelling. Through "Augmented Solitude," he addresses urgent social issues while questioning technology's role in human relationships. "Daydreams" offers a more introspective journey, exploring the intersection of collective memory and personal fantasy.
Both projects reflect Goldberger's core artistic philosophy: using photography as "a space of doubt, suspension, and encounter." Whether addressing social isolation or personal reverie, his work consistently challenges viewers to reconsider their relationship with images, memory, and reality itself. For troubled times, Goldberger hopes his latest work provides "a sense of gentle reverie" that offers respite from daily hardships.
