I just spent some time with your Break series and wanted to tell you how much I love what you’re doing with it. The title is doing so much great work—it’s not just about these guys taking a break, but also feels like a bigger “break” in how we relate to others, especially through screens. The works are both absence of presence and the presence of absence. There’s this quiet, potent feeling of being suspended in time, in between moments, and it really made me think about how we turn to images of others—strangers even—for connection or stimulation, rather than being with a live human being. That break from actual presence feels more and more relevant.

I was especially drawn to Alex’s room with its clean, almost austere setup—it had this meditative quality, like the room itself is waiting. Then Sonny’s space really jumped out in contrast—so much color and energy with the LED lights and the layered visuals. It felt more constructed, maybe even a little performative, in a playful way. Both say a lot about how these rooms are curated to spark desire or comfort, or both.

The whole project brought to mind Sophie Calle’s The Hotel series—how she photographed those anonymous rooms left behind by guests. There's that same sense of absence, but also a deep intimacy. And I kept thinking about Nan Goldin too—how she captures those vulnerable domestic moments tied up with sex and identity. Your work feels like a contemporary twist on that, filtered through the lens of the digital gaze.

Anyway, I just wanted to say how much the work resonates. It’s smart, tender, and visually compelling—and it sticks with you.

Tyler Stallings is a writer and curator based in Southern California. With over 30 years of experience, he has contributed to and edited numerous books and catalogs, offering insightful scholarship on contemporary art. To learn more about his work, visit www.tylerstallings.com.