BEING_AND_NOTHINGNESS

tell me... do i exist?

|Ψ> = 1/√2|0> + 1/√2|1

↕

──────────

immersing itself in the metaphysical, the simulated, and the tangible, being and nothingness (2024) brings computational life to French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre's existential classic Being and Nothingness (1943) by using the blockchain as its inextricable medium.

being and nothingness at its core is a single ERC721 token leading to an onchain visual interpretation of Sartre's ideals, yet unpredictably it instead leads to absolutely nothing according to its tokenURI() function.

the intent is to explore the nature of existence, the essence of being, and the void of nothingness through the lens of blockchain technology, which is often seen as a paradoxical space of both permanence and impermanence as well tangible and intangible value.

i ask you, if a work of art does not exist depending on when it is viewed... is the work still art? will it be promoted from 'being-in-itself' to 'being-for-itself' as Sartre presumes? or is nothingness just intangible nothingness?

──────────

thank you to Kevin Abosche for his gracious Blockchain As A Medium grant, which inspired and funded the creation of this work.

──────────

white lights (b. 1993) | being and nothingness (2024) | 2024 solidity, js, performance | display at 1:1 or 16:9 | infinite resolution