the agony of reality: Guardian

I'm one of the participants in Artjournalling Exhibition: Time & Memories, happening now until 10 December 2024 in Artjamila Gallery & Museum, Shah Alam.

How did I dare to submit an artwork? LOL.

The exhibition is one of the events in the Artjournaling Program, a collaboration between the UiTM College of Creative Arts (CCA) and Artjamila Gallery & Museum (AGM). This program brings together artists and members of the creative community who are passionate about journaling.

We need to submit at least 1 journal and 1 framed artwork. I don't have the image of my journal, but here's my artwork:

Title: Guardian

I did this page because I watched Avengers: The End Game. Most people I knew, especially girl or woman, they don't really fascinate Marvel movies. So just bare with me if you knew where is this going to.

This scene shows the planet of young Gamora (the green girl) being attacked by Thanos and his followers. During each attack, one of Thanos' assistants, the one with a grasshopper-like appearance, shouts "Rejoice!" to inform the people that they are about to be killed and should feel blessed, as their deaths will make them the chosen ones to save the world and the galaxies. Thanos and his followers believe that in order to bring balance and prosperity to the planets and galaxies, the population must be reduced so that others can survive. And this about to get worse when Thanos discover planet Earth and is about to reduce the population of human.

Thanos and young Gamora Sumber

Thanos's assistant Sumber

This event makes the superhero of the Earth planet take action and called themselves the Avengers.

...

Are you surprised if there are people who agree with Thanos's actions?

I knew someone whom I debated with for a few moments about why he thinks Thanos did the right thing. 

Thanos believe that extreme measures are sometimes necessary to restore balance or ensure survival. The idea of sacrificing a few for the greater good can seem logical to those who feel that the universe is overpopulated or in crisis. It’s a mindset driven by fear, desperation, or the belief that radical change is the only solution to a broken system.

Back to our reality, we’ve done what Thanos did to other creatures too, like stray dogs and stray cats. In many places, these animals are seen as a problem, and people justify killing or abandoning them to control their numbers. Just as Thanos believed he was restoring balance, we sometimes think eliminating stray animals will solve the issue. But like Thanos’s actions, this approach is morally wrong. Instead of focusing on long-term solutions, such as responsible breeding and education, we take the easy way out—elimination rather than finding a better solution. Acting like the chosen one who bares the sins of killing for the sake of balance.

This happens daily, out there, somewhere. We are the ones who just pass by and never look again. The agony of reality is that we often ignore the suffering happening around us, choosing not to confront it.

remain quiet as if this work.