Guided Meditations for the End of the Universe

Robin Meier Wiratunga’s new work emerged from a residency at CERN in Geneva, where he explored cosmological theories about the end of the universe in close dialogue with theoretical physicists. Scenarios such as the Big Crunch, in which the expansion of the universe reverses, or the Big Rip, where matter is gradually torn apart, form the conceptual starting point of the installation. While most members of western societies make sure to avoid the topic of their own mortality on a daily basis, the fact that not only our planet but also our universe will surely come to an end might offer a different kind of perspective — or even ease. With a tone that moves between surreal humour and quiet contemplation, the work invites us into an unconventional guided meditation that leads towards this ultimate horizon. Staged as an intimate group ritual, barriers between measurable, analytic and scientific realms collapse into personal, emotional and spiritual realities. In collaboration with author-actress Vimala Pons the artist designed a hypnosis-like audiovisual journey blending spoken voice, scientific research, field recordings from CERN and a hallucinogenic light environment. - Anan Fries