Anguish and Resignation

The only elements in the work are two characters represented by two fingers and some clay balls. Using this scarcity of means, Ortega constructs a narrative that questions the principles people adhere to, cultural differences, and the way various religions influence people’s humor and character. This parable, presented as a comedy sketch or gag, aligns with Ortega’s broader exploration of themes evident in his other works. The piece underscores how people’s ability to act is subordinated to their physical traits and social context. Resignation and anguish are not merely expressions of two temperaments; they also embody larger value systems, such as religion in this case. The two characters in the video, bound by their destiny and physical form, have no other choice but to accept their fate. Despite medical and technological progress, they remain in a chronic state of resignation. The video was shown continuously throughout the duration of the exhibition in the projection room of the museum. The repeated viewing process dismantled the idea of a gag, much like how the obsessive repetition of the same image can add a tragic undertone to paintings that might otherwise convey a sense of triviality when viewed in isolation.