Michelle Aubert

Unión presents Close, but far by Michelle Aubert.

This exhibition symbolizes a rebirth, a deep awakening of my emotional subconscious. Through each image, I free myself from trapped, wounded and manipulated emotions, detaching myself from attachment to find renewed independence. It is a journey into my essence: conscious, whole and free. Where does love reside? Is love something we look for outside, or has it always been within us?

Since our earliest days as human beings, we have longed for deep connection in a world that is becoming more and more immediate. With so many options and possibilities at the click of a button, we continue to choose connection, regardless of distance.

In times past, physical distance was a monumental barrier. Letters could take months to arrive, and even then, those few words could seal lifelong commitments, often without meeting in person. Today, dating apps connect us instantly, but are we really willing to forge bonds in this digital age? Can we evolve with those long-distance connections?

Long-distance love is often considered one of the most intense and pure. Crossing physical and cultural boundaries defies barriers and breaks stereotypes, but we do it for that person who transforms our existence, even if they are not close by.

The emotional puzzle

I am interested in delving into this topic because, despite being part of our current reality, little is said about the emotional and mental work involved in a long-distance relationship. In a globalized, hyper-connected world, and even more so after a confinement where relationships were lived miles away, emotions and expectations often become more complex. Are we really prepared to handle those connections?

My intention with this exhibition is to offer a glimpse into the self-understanding, the emotional process that everyone goes through in these circumstances. What one thinks, is not necessarily what the other thinks, and this disconnection of expectations can generate confusion, but also growth. I want to share what I have learned: that what is desired, with effort and strategy, can be achieved, and that emotions are a compass towards self-acceptance.

To raise awareness about the effort and dedication involved in sharing life with another, especially when technological tools make it easy for us to connect, but do not teach us how to go deeper. Through these images, I invite reflection on how distance and immediate connection coexist, and how, despite everything, we continue to search for what completes us.

The fragment of a whole

This photographic exhibition is an exploration of long-distance love and what it means emotionally to me. Through each visual fragment, I share my process: the emotional effort, the investment of time and the internal evolution that this experience has provoked. I have questioned myself a lot: Why did I seek it out? How has it changed the way I look at relationships? What lessons has it taught me? What do I hope for the future? Each image is a fragment of this experience, an intimate exploration of distance, attachment, uprootedness, and ultimately a return to myself.

–Michelle Aubert