GUS ARMSTRONG
Comune with sentient mulch at the nexus of boundless knowledge and simulated existence

Deathbed5000
We celebrate this year, as we have encountered an ancient pile of hyper-sentient mulch that is a nexus of boundless knowledge and simulated existence. Visitors approach, immersing themselves within its layers, awakening consciousness through an unspoken dialogue. The mulch, pulsates with mystic energy, presents each individual with a selection of possible futures, each tailored to explore untapped dimensions of life. Participants will choose a path, experiencing an alternate existence in vivid, immersive detail until their timely death. Through this 15 minute journey, you will inhabit a life beyond your own, unfolding through a deeply personal and surreal vantage, until virtual death releases you back to your original reality, forever transformed.
By 2050, as desertification encroaches on every corner of our world, there emerges a hyper-sentient entity that serves as the Earth’s attempt to restore balance amidst the chaos of human-driven environmental degradation. This ancient pile of mulch, a phenomenon of natural intelligence, reaches out, subtly guiding humanity back in line with the planet’s rhythms. Upon entering, individuals become part of its network, retaining their autonomy but yet are profoundly moved by the experiences offered within. These virtual lives allow them to see the world through different eyes, fostering empathy and awakening an instinct to heal.
My rationale for this work lies in the belief that understanding another’s perspective can catalyze change. By embodying new roles and lives, participants witness firsthand the impact of our actions and feel the urgency of aligning human existence with the Earth’s needs. Ultimately, it is a guide, offering us the tools to envision and create a harmonious, sustainable future.
GUS ARMSTRONG
Gus Armstrong is a regionally based artist exploring the intersection of humans, their environment through the lens of technology and human consciousness. Based in the town of Kandos on Wiradjuri Country his artworks provoke contemplation at how we interact with the world, what respect we offer to our environment and what structure do we offer to ourselves to create our home within it. Armstrong creates primarily through the medium of photography using both stills and video to create and tell the story of our journey into the future.














