Here Lies

This artwork critiques centralized power while celebrating the ideals of decentralization. The phrase “Hic Situs Imperium Centrale” is a creative adaptation of the Latin epitaph “Hic Situs Est,” meaning “Here Lies.” Traditionally found on Roman tombstones, it conveys finality and legacy. By adding “Imperium Centrale”—“Central Power”—the phrase symbolizes the burial of central authority, with the Roman Empire serving as a historical reference for such systems. The tulip used in the composition resembles the Semper Augustus, the rarest and most valuable tulip in history. During the 17th-century Tulip Mania, it embodied wealth, greed, and colonial power. Although the original Semper Augustus is extinct, this tulip—found in the garden of Toronto’s City Hall—adds a playful and rebellious twist, subtly reclaiming control from institutional authority. The composition is carefully designed with shadows connecting each element—the skull, vase, and tulip—creating a visual loop that guides the viewer’s gaze. The skull represents mortality, the vase symbolizes the rigidity of authority, the tulip reflects the fragility of beauty and power, and the shadows emphasize the inevitable connection between these concepts. Through this thoughtful arrangement, the artwork critiques control systems while embracing transformation, impermanence, and decentralized freedom. Meme: 1 Season: 9 Card: 1