0x103c8b5b…a0casent to0xdcdc3974…b894·#19,585,384·view on Etherscan
tell me... do i exist?\n\n|Ψ> = 1/√2|0> + 1/√2|1\n\n↕\n\n──────────\n\nImmersing 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) using blockchain as the inextricable medium (commonly referred to as 'onchain').\n\n*being and nothingness* hinges upon a single ERC721 token that unpredictably swaps between existence ('being') and non-existence ('nothingness') according to its `tokenURI()` function.\n\nAnalogous to a quantum particle playfully flickering between dual states, this digital intricacy is the core of the art's interpretation of Sartre's 'being-in-itself' and 'being-for-itself' philosophies.\n\nWhen contemplating 'being-in-itself'', imagine the token peacefully residing on the blockchain, evoking the untouched state of a quantum particle or the serene mystery of Schrodinger's cat.\n\nIn contrast, 'being-for-itself' emerges as the artwork unfolds its subjective existence upon viewer engagement - evolving from a static enigmatic symbol into an experiential reality. Much like the observed Schrodinger's cat or the measured quantum particle, engagement with this art piece transitions the token from the potential nothingness 'being-in-itself' into an expressive 'being-for-itself'... the irony.\n\nPlayfully engaging with this artwork signifies an acceptance of certain existential paradoxes. By consciously acknowledging this performance as art, you promote the token from an objective existence to a subjective experience. This process succinctly embodies 'being-for-itself' through free will, threading the viewer into Sartre's existentialist philosophy by simply being an observer.\n\n──────────\n\nthank you to kevin abosche for his gracious onchain grant, which covered the deployment costs for each smart contract involved in this work.\n\n──────────\n\nwhite lights (b. 1993)\n\nbeing and nothingness, 2024\n\nsolidity, js, performance\n\ndisplay at 1:1 or 16:9\n\ninfinite resolution