At Place de la Concorde in Paris, photographer Sacha Goldberger is showcasing a powerful new project that addresses elderly isolation through art and technology. His exhibition "Augmented Solitude" features eight large-format portraits of seniors aged 77 to 90, displayed as part of the Photoclimat festival running until October 12. The project, created in partnership with the charity organization Petits Frères des Pauvres (Little Brothers of the Poor), transforms Paris's most famous square into an outdoor photography gallery highlighting one of society's most pressing issues.
Goldberger, easily recognizable in his signature Stetson hat arriving on his gyrowheel with his faithful dog Rose, brings his characteristic blend of humor and humanity to this serious subject. The photographer, who gained fame for his "Mamika" series featuring his grandmother, has spent his career subverting expectations – transforming superheroes into Flemish paintings, playing with Hollywood cinema codes, and drawing inspiration from artists like Edward Hopper with a Tim Burton twist. In 2023, he even transformed the venerable Pierre Richard into Clint Eastwood for his "Crossed Portraits" series exhibited on Nice's Promenade des Anglais.
The "Mamika" series, Goldberger's most renowned work, documented his 15-year photographic relationship with his grandmother Frederika Goldberger, a World War II survivor. Rather than focusing on the sadness and decline that age inevitably brings to body and spirit, Goldberger chose a different path. He transformed Frederika into a superhero, a biker, a Flemish noble with a ruff collar – creating hilarious role-playing scenarios that turned aging into moments of pure joy until she was 96 years old.
This experience profoundly influenced "Augmented Solitude," as Goldberger explains his deep understanding of elderly companionship: "At some point, we're going to have to return to human contact, and I'm well-placed to talk about this. My grandmother passed away at 103. I had set up my office at her place, and we spent 15 years of our lives talking every day, sometimes not talking, but always being together."
The eight subjects featured in the exhibition represent those whom illness, grief, fatigue, or boredom have distanced from others – family, neighbors, and friends. Through warm collaboration with Petits Frères des Pauvres, Goldberger met, photographed, and interviewed each person about their ideal imaginary friend. These companions populate their long hours of silence, serve as conversation partners in empty apartments, and represent dream lunch companions.
Each subject chose deeply personal imaginary companions that reflect their individual stories and desires. Guy selected Bruce Lee, his childhood idol. Jeanne chose Simone Veil for tea-time conversations. Élodie, confined to a wheelchair, envisioned Jesus and Mary accompanying her on neighborhood strolls. For 90-year-old Lucille, a royal eagle appears beside her – a moving confession that this companion would take away "everything I don't do well," serving as both friend and therapist.
Goldberger was particularly concerned with avoiding the typical pathos associated with aging: "The first contribution of this exhibition is joy, and the second is to make people think that maybe it's time to visit our grandparents, the gentleman next door who's all alone, the man who doesn't leave his home." He advocates for using humor and perspective rather than catastrophic messaging: "I think there are several ways to convey messages. The first is catastrophism – 'Oh no, it's horrible. Look, she's all alone in her nursing home and she wet herself.' The second is humor and perspective."
To fulfill his subjects' wishes, Goldberger employed cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology. After listening carefully to their stories, dreams, hopes, and despairs, he used AI to create their imaginary friends based on their narratives. The photographer then refined and integrated the AI-generated companions into the original photographs. This virtual magic is made accessible through QR codes accompanying each portrait, allowing viewers to experience the augmented reality version.
The technology serves the human message, but Goldberger emphasizes the importance of returning to genuine human connection: "There's something very seductive about the virtual world, but we quickly realize it also cuts us off from the world. If you walk down the street, nobody looks at each other anymore. People are on their phones, on trains, nobody looks at each other anymore. I think technology has been wonderful, but at some point we need to return to human contact."
The project represents more than just artistic innovation – it's a call for social awareness and action. Through his unique blend of technology, artistry, and compassion, Goldberger transforms a simple photography exhibition into a powerful statement about human dignity, connection, and the universal need for companionship regardless of age. The "Augmented Solitude" series continues Goldberger's tradition of using art to address serious social issues while maintaining the joy and humanity that has defined his career.
Visitors to Place de la Concorde can experience both the physical portraits and their augmented reality counterparts until October 12, while Goldberger's "Daydreams" exhibition runs simultaneously at Galerie XII in Paris's 4th arrondissement until October 29.
