COGITO in Space

‘COGITO in Space’ is an interdisciplinary art project speculating on the creative and philosophical possibilities of exploring the cosmos by means of radio waves. The project allows participants to send their brain activity into space, as a symbolic action for shifting awareness from an Earth-centered perspective to a cosmos-wide perspective. ‘COGITO in Space’ has been inspired by conversations with Frank White, author of The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution, a pivotal book that explores the shift in worldview experienced by astronauts when they see the Earth from space and in space. As part of ‘COGITO in Space’, participants watch a film in virtual reality showing experimental footage of the Earth seen from space, while a team of neuroscientists record their brain activity. This is translated into sound and is transmitted across a large portion of the sky in real time, without a specific target, highlighting the Earth’s rotation and our place in the cosmos while the experience takes place. 'COGITO in Space' is a collaborative project and the result of six years research.