Waheed Ahmadzai. 2019 felt like the last normal year. So much happened over the world and yet it seemed that only those news stories packed with bright light, gossip, and fandom were able to reach the masses. From graduating early in 2019, to the start of the pandemic at the end of the year, 2019 was eventful, and as an immigrant I was faced with the constant internal battle of where do I put my focus and energy. Though I was constantly bombarded with information and news, it seemed like the Western and Eastern hemispheres were extremely disconnected and tone deaf to one another.

From watching the realness of life and its hardships through Afghan media, to the shallow celebrity news that seems to always be at the forefront of Western media, I was in a continuous battle to staying in touch with home even if it was on the other side of the globe, but how long can you care before you’re sucked into the blinding lights and lose touch with reality and home…

Year 2019 represented by my struggles and is the first acting piece to this collaboration between @geregamo and his piece for 2119.

Gerald Jean Baptiste "Gamo". The year is 2119, and the land is desolate and barren because our actions today will mold how tomorrow will look. With the past relentlessly pulling us back to remind us of our shortcomings, this artwork, Reach For Redemption demonstrates the will power to reach forward as a civilization. Holding on tight to a crypto-tree, with peace within reach.

Reach For Redemption serves as an optimistic paradox, in a future where we’ll rely on technology as a tool to keep us close to the precious scarcity of nature. This piece is a continuation of the turbulent year of 2019, in collaboration with All Smilesss creator, Waheeed Ahmadzai.

Blinding Lights: The Immigrant Paradox, 2019 by Waheed Ahmadzai & Reach For Redemption, 2119 by Gerald Jean Baptiste "Gamo"

The Decagon is the infinitely evolving, always unique, and eternally open membership token of the Decaverse. Designed by Kjetil Golid.

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