Clearing
2022
The scientific field of nuclear semiotics deals with the questions and problematics of preserving the locations of nuclear waste disposal sites and warning future generations about them. Suggested solutions for this problem raise interesting concerns about the permanence of our technology and systems of signals. The linguist Thomas Sebeok proposed the foundation of an “atomic priesthood”, since the written and oral tradition of the church is proven to be effective in preserving information through millennia. Such priesthood would keep information about these disposal sites through rites and myths, declaring them forbidden zones. Replacing places of pilgrimage with symbolic objects reduces the act of pilgrimage to systems of symbols, alienating the pilgrims themselves from the act.
Through a similar logic the three fluorescent sculptures placed around the church mark the locations of points whose stories we can catch a glimpse of walking through the sounding virtual space placed inside the building. The displayed sculptures are mere placeholders or proxies, the authenticity of their sacredness cannot be checked – fragments of oral culture attempt to preserve their story, merging the dimensions of virtuality and physicality.
Access the virtual space here.
Vocals by Zsófia Molnár.
Photos by Antal Gabelics.
exhibited at
- 2022, Praesentia, group exhibition, Hungarian Holy Land Church, Budapest (HU)