Rendezvous Problem 2: Cosmography

Anabella Araudo & Aleš Zapletal

27.11.2024 at 18:00

AVU Veletržní, Veletržní 826/61, Praha 7 

For the second session of the series, astrophysicist Anabella Araudo and artist Aleš Zapletal approach the possibilities of “writing the cosmos” through different types of conceptual mapping. Anabella Araudo approaches cosmography from the perspective of high-energy astrophysical processes. By examining the role of cosmic plasma in shaping the large-scale structures of the Universe, she discusses how various phenomena influence our understanding and tracing of cosmic regions, bridging the gap between the microscopic behaviours of particles and the macroscopic architecture of the cosmos. Aleš Zapletal present his research in the field of the so-called cosmogram – a schematic representation of the whole world. Over the past two years, the artist has been collecting such graphic objects as well as creating new ones, often in collaboration with selected experts or through a study of animals and objects.

Aleš Zapletal is a visual artist based in the Czech Republic. Over the past decade, his practice has evolved around terrestrial themes such as woodcraft, land art, permaculture and the climate movement, as well as cosmological practices, such as cosmograms or magic. His engagement with different cognitive frameworks and techniques enables him to develop and explore a realm of mythologies, magical transformations, and imaginative projections. Following his studies at FaVU and UMPRUM, he explored the intersection of visual schemas and philosophical thought in his dissertation titled ‘Images of Philosophy and Embodied Mind,’ completed at AVU. He is currently expanding upon these concepts in his ongoing Cosmogram project.

Anabella Araudo is an astrophysicist based in Prague. Her research focuses on ultra-high-energy cosmic rays and relativistic astrophysics. She also teaches “Cosmic Plasma” at Charles University. Anabella’s work is mainly concerned with theoretical modeling of astrophysical sources capable of accelerating the most energetic particles in our Universe. She is also interested in laser-plasma experiments to better understand astrophysical phenomena in controlled environments.

The project is a cooperation between

The Academy of Fine Arts Prague / LARGE - Laboratory for Art, Research and Graduate Education and Velrybí srdce, z.s