The Banknotes (2021-2025)

Since 2021, Myanmar has been grappling with a severe decline in freedom of expression. The SAC government has actively sought to erase dissent by destroying street art, including graffiti and mural paintings in key areas like Myanigone. These public art forms once served as vibrant symbols of resistance and identity, but the government's campaign has left them vulnerable to eradication. However, while physical artworks can be wiped out, banknotes—used by the state as propaganda tools and Yadaya materials—offer an alternative, indestructible canva. In response to this, I initiated a banknote art project, utilizing Augmented Reality (AR) technology. My AR/VR banknote artworks took center stage at my solo exhibition, "Dystopia," held at IFB Yangon on Human Rights Day in 2022. These works, rooted in deep research on Myanmar’s constitution and human rights, aim to subvert state-controlled narratives, turning tools of propaganda into vehicles for truth. This new project seeks to evolve my current work, using banknotes and, for the first time, newspapers—two symbols that have been weaponized by the regime for control and manipulation. By embedding AR/VR technology into these mediums, I aim to not only preserve the stories of the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) but also extend their message beyond Myanmar’s borders. To amplify the voices of the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM): Through AR/VR-enhanced banknotes and newspapers, I aim to immortalize the movement’s struggle and ensure its narrative remains resilient, even in the face of state suppression. To reimagine Myanmar's propaganda newspapers: By transforming them into AR/VR artworks, these state-controlled publications will be repurposed to tell the real story of our nation. I seek to expose the truth behind the propaganda and give voice to those silenced by the regime. To expand the reach of Myanmar's resistance stories globally: Leveraging AR/VR technologies allows us to connect Myanmar’s struggle for freedom with global audiences, making our message accessible and impactful beyond physical borders. Banknotes, though mundane, are symbols of state power and control. Through this project, I transform them into canvases for resistance and truth. By embedding AR/VR technology into these banknotes, I aim to show that while physical artwork can be destroyed, digital art can persist and evolve. Similarly, newspapers—often used to legitimize the regime’s actions—will be converted into beacons of resistance, offering untold stories of Myanmar’s citizens fighting for their freedom. Through this work, I intend to narrate the interconnectedness between Myanmar’s internal security and the peace of its neighbors. This project aspires to speak a universal language, using familiar objects like banknotes and newspapers to transcend borders and highlight the fragility of democracy and human rights in Myanmar. This is a long-term project that will evolve alongside Myanmar's political situation. The AR/VR elements allow me to continually update the artworks, ensuring they remain relevant and reflective of the changing political landscape. As the situation in Myanmar shifts, so too will the narrative embedded within the banknotes and newspapers, offering an ongoing commentary on the nation's struggle for democracy and human right In the long run, this project will serve not only as an artistic expression but as a historical archive, capturing the ever-changing tides of Myanmar’s political reality. Through the innovative use of AR/VR technology, this project transforms everyday symbols of oppression—banknotes and newspapers—into vehicles for truth and resistance. It speaks to the resilience of the people of Myanmar, who continue to fight for freedom despite the government's attempts to suppress their voices. This project is a testament to the power of art to transcend borders, evade destruction, and speak universally to those who value human rights and democracy. I plan to exhibit my artwork as a public exhibition. Whoever has a Banknote or daily newspaper (Myanma Alinn Daily, Mirror Daily, Myawadi Daily) can see through QR code or weblink by phone. ( https://mrwhite.in/the-banknotes/) As an exhibition, I will put the Myanmar Banknote And Myanmar Daily newspaper (Myanma Ainn Daily, Mirror Daily, Myawadi Daily). I will provide a QR code near the artwork so everybody can easily scan the QR and see the artwork by phone. Since this is an ongoing project I will update the artwork till the end of the revolution.