tell me... do i exist?

|Ψ> = 1/√2|0> + 1/√2|1

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immersing itself in the metaphysical, the simulated, and the tangible, being and nothingness 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, well, nothingness?

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

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