Remaning
Riho Hagi
Advisor: Sarah Ibrahim
"Remaining" is an immersive art installation that challenges the concept of digital immortality by using blockchain to preserve DNA and transforming it into physical objects. It prompts a reevaluation of whether the "eternity" presented by digital immortality offers genuine salvation or instead represents a new form of "bondage," thus questioning whether technological advancements truly benefit humanity.
Abstract
"Remaning" explores the perennial human yearning for immortality. Throughout various mythologies, it is evident that humans have contemplated the notion of immortality since ancient times. This pursuit continues today, with many wealthy individuals investing substantial amounts of money in immortality tech, making immortality startups a trending phenomenon. I, too, have been inescapably drawn to ponder over the concept of death.
Yuval Noah Harari, in his writings, posits that humanity's future direction is towards 'immortality.' He suggests that through cyborg technology, biotechnology, and smart drugs, humans are set to transform themselves, aiming for states of 'non-death' or becoming 'superhuman.' As immortality becomes increasingly tangible, my desire is to underscore the distortion and eeriness associated with it.
To this end, as an artistic representation of immortality's distortions, I will preserve my own DNA within the blockchain. The inherent nature of blockchain-recorded data, which becomes immutable and indestructible, serves this purpose.
By eternally storing my DNA on the blockchain, I aim to express 'digital immortality.' This method seeks to explore the possibility of continuing to 'exist' in some form even after death.
Technical Details
- p5js
- solidity
- Javascript
- web3.js
- polygon amoy
Research/Context
I used blockchain technology while working as a software engineer before enrolling in ITP. Blockchain fascinates me with its unique characteristic of enabling data to be permanently stored without any alterations, and I've always wanted to utilize this feature. Last year, I created a project that recorded the ephemeral eating experience through "Edible NFTs" on the blockchain.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cth1eOvuLPX/?img_index=1
Leveraging blockchain's capability for permanent, unalterable data storage, I wanted to achieve immortality.
Siddhartha Mukherjee's "The Gene" profoundly influenced me, introducing me to the complexities and wonders of genetics.
HeLa Cells represent a form of immortality; these cells have proliferated and are now present in laboratories worldwide.
https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/a054baf7-9b07-4155-b2a3-774cb08e4d6c/2c5cc2b4-6eba-4296-b85c-aec75f36d67e/Untitled.png
My work is also significantly influenced by Heather Dewey-Hagborg’s "Stranger Visions." As my Bioart class teacher, she provided deep insights into genetic-related issues and ethical questions.
Further Reading
- The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee
- Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari