Untitled

(«Das Nichts selbst nichtet» (« “nothing” negates itself») – Martin Heidegger) 

«Here, there is ‘NOTHING’ to explain !»

1974-2012

mixed technique, 84x164 cm (LED internally lit)

Dedicated to John Cage’s ‘Lecture on “Nothing” ’

According to Emanuele Severino in 'La Gloria’, language and writing are an attempt at an ‘imposition to define, which is destined to fail since it seeks the impossible… We are never in a position to capture eternity.'

This picture is untitled because the word ‘Thing’ is simply not there (it's cut out); it is 'no-thing'. The most appropriate title is therefore no title at all.

‘Thing’ is nothing, just as the Universe itself was born out of nothing.

Predominant opinion is that ‘nothing’ existed before the Big Bang. But ‘nothing’ simply does not exist (even a total void is ‘something’). In physics there are various explanations of the state of nothingness. The concept closest is that of emptiness.
In a vacuum state, the pairing of particle-antiparticle can be generated so that they either destroy each other immediately or else generate other couples or types of particles.

If you’re one of those people who thinks that modern art lacks all content, you could purchase this piece and still be sticking to your convictions !

Literary reference (A lament for human life) : ‘It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.’

                                                                                                         Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ Act 5, Scene 5

Philosophical reference: ‘I know one thing, and that is that I know NOTHING’

                                                                                                         Socrates

“Take some more tea," the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly.
"I've had NOTHING yet," Alice replied in an offended tone, "so I can't take more."
"You mean you can't take less," said the Hatter: "it's very easy to take more than NOTHING."
"Nobody asked your opinion," said Alice.”

                                                                                                        Lewis Carroll in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"