Cosmos with Tony
2024
video
At the beginning of 2024, I met with the controversial "mad" philosopher Antonín Dolák to collaborate on a depiction of the Cosmos. Dolák is well-known for his provocative video performances, yet few realize that his academic work has long explored ontology. In my search for the ideal medium to capture this cosmogram, I turned to virtual reality, specifically using Meta Quest 2 VR headset. I visited Dolák at the Communist Party studio, where he often spends his time. I was delighted when he agreed to my proposal, joining me in virtual reality for an hour-long discussion on his ontological perspective. Coincidentally, he shared that his metaphysical model is rooted in simulation theory, revealing his firm belief that we are living in a simulation. This notion resonated perfectly with our situation—occupying a shared virtual space, creating a simulation within a simulation. During my conversation with Dolák, I sketched out a model of the cosmos in 3D space, incorporating the themes we discussed. Gradually, this evolved into a virtual 3D sculpture.