I have always felt like nationalism works against us, the people. It often leads to conflicts driven by an ‘us vs. them’ mentality and feeds intolerance towards others. The violence doesn’t stop with people; it extends to natural resources, as nationalist policies may prioritize economic growth over environmental protection. As nationalism has spread globally, it poses a threat to international cooperation, complicating the resolution of major issues like climate change, health emergencies, and international security due to a hesitancy to participate in collective efforts and responsibilities. While nationalism can be a unifying force, it has nonetheless been used repeatedly as a weapon against humanity’s well-being for centuries. Its potential has been exploited by those who are power-hungry, for their own personal goals.
The video work ‘Black Flag’ is a response to this phenomenon.