Nothing in this image is as it seems. A steel beam rests impossibly on a delicate hourglass, defying the logic of weight and gravity. The sand, instead of falling as expected, clings unnaturally to the beam—creating an illusion that contradicts reality. Beneath it all, a soft cushion appears to bear the weight of this paradoxical structure, further unsettling our perception of balance and stability.

This piece is a visual deception, an intentional manipulation of expectation. It forces the viewer to question what they see, much like misinformation and fake news distort our understanding of the world. We assume certain truths based on logic and experience: steel crushes glass, sand flows downward, pressure collapses fragile structures. Yet here, none of those assumptions hold.

Fear thrives on uncertainty, and Tough Times embodies that unease. When confronted with something that contradicts our understanding, we either accept the illusion or desperately search for an explanation. The use of iron filings and a magnet reinforces this idea, demonstrating how unseen forces—like media narratives—can shape our perception without us even realizing it.

In a time when misinformation dictates narratives, Tough Times asks: What happens when we can no longer trust our own eyes?