The Last Night of Our Civilisation (2024)
Video, 4’09’’
In this work, I employ monochrome imagery and dialogue to construct an apocalyptic scenario, juxtaposing civilisation and the individual within it. This presents their discussions and conflicts centred upon monuments and ruins. Civilisation relies on individuals to leave traces worthy of remembrance, yet selectively preserves them to shape an idealised self-image; individuals likewise depend on civilisation to preserve their own stories, yet may unwittingly conform to grand narratives to avoid misinterpretation. By reconstructing this process, the work explores the essence underlying monuments and the inherent tension between the individual and civilisation, a tension born of the fear of oblivion and the desire to be understood.
Me:
If the end of the world comes, and someone is responsible for recording the story and history of humanity, will my story be part of it?
Civilization:
You are within it; this story is about us.
Me:
If I am in it, why can't I find any trace of myself in this story?
Civilization:
You are within it; you are among us.
Me:
Or, are you saying that the story of "me" is simply the name we collectively share as humanity?
Civilization:
You are within it; we are all within it.
Me:
If this story is about us, about humanity,
Civilization:
Yes, every step we've taken, every achievement we've made is within it.
Me:
Then why have colonization, dictatorship, war, all the people we've sacrificed to get here, all the darkest moments we've endured before the light arrived, why have they disappeared from this story?
Civilisation:
All of humanity's moments are already within it.
Me:
So the "humanity" you speak of is one that remains noble, wise, civilised, and graceful from beginning to end? If that's the case, should I still be written into this story? For I am selfish, insecure, arrogant, ordinary, vain, greedy, lazy, incompetent, and yet pretentious, small, but yearning for greatness.
Civilisation: .........
Me:
Perhaps I truly don't belong in this story. So, who would still be willing to record my story? Will anyone read the story I leave behind after I'm gone? How will they understand me? In their eyes, who am I? What will they believe in? Will they choose to see a kind version of me or an evil one? Will they believe in perfection or in flaws? What if they believe in perfection? What if they see evil? What if they fail to understand me?
Civilisation: .........
Me:
So, what part of me do I truly hope they understand? What part do I hope they read? Perhaps, in the final moment of life, I no longer wish to be recorded truthfully.
Civilisation: .........
Me:
Then perhaps being remembered as part of a noble "humanity" is a blessing after all, all the struggle and pain hidden behind the name of humanity, quietly vanishing into oblivion. And yet, there's always a lingering sense of regret. What if, one day, our story encounters a small individual, and what if they choose to see the good while also believing in the flaws? Will they, in some time and space, feel a sense of loss, wandering alone in contemplation?
Civilisation: .........
Me:
But it seems, when all is over, what remains becomes insignificant, doesn’t it?
Civilisation: .........
Before Everything Extincted(2024)
Poetry, printed on A3 paper
“
Humanity has always been fighting against extinction.
The crisis of existence happened in the past,
Happens in the present,
And will also happen in the future.
It happens in civilization itself,
Happens in nations themselves.
Happens in dynasties themselves,
Happens in cultures themselves,
Happens in classes themselves,
Happens in individuals themselves.
To fight against extinction.
Humanity fabricated an eternal lie,
Trying to leave traces of existence through certain achievements and greatness.
Yet the small me,
The small us,
The small civilization.
Have clearly forgotten that existence itself needs no proof.
If there truly comes a day
When civilization reaches the brink of life and death.
And we believe that continuing in some form Is indeed that lonely golden record wandering in space.
Is to live forever in the collective of the others after extinction, Then we have succeeded.
But if the essence of existence is the process and not the result, Humanity has utterly failed.
