In Cyborg Dolphin Tears, Barabancea explores themes of dystopia and science fiction through a unique perspective. The photobook fuses Balkan folklore with retro-futuristic styles, grotesque transformations, and neo-kitsch subcultures. By integrating traditional textures with digital effects, Barabancea underscores his fascination with the intersection of humanity and technology, a recurring motif in his apocalyptic narratives. The book acts as an allegory for the post-truth era, demonstrating how fragmented realities obscure veracity and selfhood while technology subtly influences human cognition and desires. Barabancea’s visuals depict a world where ancient customs, deteriorating post-socialist settings, and cutting-edge technologies converge, crafting a story that is both distinctly Romanian and widely relevant. Through neo-kitsch elements, Barabancea introduces a layer of ironic whimsy to his portrayal of cyborg misfits and mutant encounters, set against deteriorating environments and techno rituals. This aesthetic, marked by a blend of 35mm analog grain and digital glitches, captures a meta-ironic universe where the lines between reality and illusion are increasingly blurred. Barabancea’s photobooks address not only the remnants of Romania’s socio-political history but also anticipate a future shaped by surveillance and technological influence. In Cyborg Dolphin Tears, he reveals the eerie allure of a dystopian vision, illustrating how both ancient myths and modern technologies shape our perceptions of truth and identity.