BUANASENI

Title: Buana VI
Medium: Computer Graphics (Microsoft Paintbrush)
Artist: Johan Ishak
Time/Date: {Time not recorded}, 18 December 1994
Place of creation: South Yarra, Australia
www.buanaseni.blogspot.com

UANA VI is my expression of "after-Death" - silhouette of man in uncertainty whether he has done enough to follow the bright light ascending to the heavens or being sucked down below in the inferno of hell.

Almost all religion that I can think of has somewhat mentioned the concept of "after-Death" in their scriptures. The monotheist religions (Islam, Christianity and Judaism) clearly state that "after-Death" can only mean eternal sufferings in hell or goodness in heaven (though some believe that one will be transfered from hell to heaven once the sufferings compensate the sins).

The Hindus and Buddhists believe an ultimate state of enlightenment called Nirvana at which, Beings cease to reincarnate over and over again into this world. Whilst that concept does not really fit in nicely into the black and white of hell and heaven, it does in some ways potray that until you redeem yourself thoroughly, you will continue to suffer living your life (over and over again) and experience the so called "heavenly status" once you meet profound redemption, ie Nirvana. This is, in my mind, and in essence, similar to the concept of hell and heaven.

The Pharoahs of Egypt seems to think that "after-Death" requires effort in the current life. Hence dragging their entire family and wealth into the Pyramids. Again, there is a connection between what you do in the current life to what you will end up in "after-Death".

You should by now noticed that my preferred term is "after-Death" rather than "after-Life". Well, To use "after-Life" would simply mean that you'll enter into the realm of Death after being Alive and that's it. This is, in my mind, an imperfect hypothesis of what the major religions are preaching. I'd rather use "after-Death" - conveying the message that the splitting point between the current life and the next life is "Death" - hence the next life cannot be Death. So, in the case of Hinduism and Buddhism, there are multiple Deaths before you reach heavenly state of Nirvana? Whatever the answer is, at the end of the day, it's all the same concept.

In chronological sense, perhaps, death is best defined as the period between your last heart beat and the point when the gatekeepers decide your path, ie. either up or down (Note: Islamic gatekeepers refer to Angels Malik for Hell, Ridzuan for Heaven, Munkar and Nangkir for the judgement of sins vs good deeds).

What does "after-Death" really means to us? Well, "Death" gives us the sense of sadness for leaving behind our loved ones, our wealth and the good things in life. If the life we live is pathetic, you would probably feel the opposite, ie. too happy to go!. However, "after-Death" has got a totally different impact. It urges man to act and make a difference to this world (eg. laws, regulations, education, wars, humanitarian, politics, etc) - a totally acceptable human behaviour of "effort and reward" vs "crime and punishment".

Finally, I would like to highlight a few art work which are based on the concept of "after-Death": Drag to Hell (Movie), Ghost (Movie), Raphael's hand of God touching Man's in the Sistine Chapel of Vatican (Painting); and my old time favourite from Led Zeppelin, Stairway to Heaven (Song).

The links to all the BUANA series are as follows:

BUANA I: The physical
BUANA II: The spiritual
BUANA III: The creation
BUANA IV: The environment
BUANA V: The destruction
BUANA VI: The after-Death
BUANA VII: The civilisation
BUANA VIII: The passion and love