Stepping into Kaikhan Salakhov’s world is like stepping into the future – where art, science fiction, and spirituality collide in unexpected ways. Opening on September 18, 2024, The Cosmic Renaissance marks Salakhov’s most ambitious exhibition to date. Known for his meticulous, hand-drawn geometric patterns, Salakhov uses his background in architecture and philosophy to explore humanity’s cosmic future. His Astral Space Exploration (ASX) Grid is at the core of this exhibition, mapping out the physical and spiritual evolution of civilisations. In The Cosmic Renaissance, Salakhov doesn’t just paint; he offers a vision for a future where technology and consciousness evolve together.
hube: Your work bridges the gap between art, science, and philosophy in a unique way. How does your background in architecture and your studies in various philosophical frameworks influence the development of your Astral Space Exploration model?
Kaikhan Salakhov: The art, science, and philosophy incorporated into my work root the expression in my background in architecture. This background arms me with deep knowledge concerning fractals, which are increasingly central to my interest in organising and systematising complex structures. Being both an artist and an architect, I have always been deeply fascinated by the labyrinthine patterns of fractals and their ability to depict the micro and macro scales of existence. This naturally led to the conception of the Astral Space Exploration (ASX) Model, founded on a systemic and interconnected view of fractals.
I noticed that various philosophical frameworks – AQAL (All Quadrants, All Levels), the Integral Approach, the Wilber-Combs Lattice, and Spiral Dynamics – as well as more science-fiction-based scales, such as the Kardashev Scale, don’t communicate with each other. While these philosophical models offer deep insight into the evolution of consciousness and human development, they mostly operate in isolation from frameworks that describe cosmic advancement, like the Kardashev Scale. The Kardashev Scale traditionally focuses on energy consumption and technological capability without considering internal evolution in consciousness and states of awareness.
This presented an architectural challenge: to harmonise divergent views into coherent, functional structures. What inspired me was the realisation that no comprehensive model exists to integrate both philosophical frameworks of human evolution, like AQAL, and cosmic models like the Kardashev Scale. AQAL and similar models incorporate subjective experience, intersubjective cultural dynamics, and interobjective systemic interactions, while the Kardashev Scale grades civilisations based on energy consumption, remaining limited to the external, physical aspects of reality and ignoring the consciousness and cultural evolution. This one-dimensional theory does not account for the inner developments – values, states, and stages of consciousness – that may drive technological and cosmic ambitions.
The ASX Model takes off from the knowledge that most known frameworks – AQAL, Spiral Dynamics, and the Kardashev Scale, for example – are anthropocentric and species-centric. These models reflect human biases, projecting Earth’s stages of development onto vastly different cosmic contexts. While useful for mapping human growth and societal evolution, they fall short in contemplating a broader spectrum of consciousness and cosmic development that may extend beyond human or Earth-based paradigms.
As I’ve said, this doesn’t diminish their importance; they are probably some of the most crucial models for understanding Earth. If I were an alien tourist, I’d download these maps immediately to grasp humanity. However, beyond Earth, they may not be as useful as they are on this beautiful planet.
Through my work, I aim to transcend these limitations by constructing a model that encompasses diverse forms of consciousness and layers of cosmic development – concepts that challenge and extend beyond human-centred conceptions. The ASX Model is adaptive, especially for future explorations of the cosmos, where forms of sentient life and consciousness that are incomprehensible to the traditional human mind may be encountered. This inclusion is vital because it opens space to consider beings with radically different cognitive architectures, modes of communication, and existential schemas that don’t fit into the linear progressions proposed by other models, such as AQAL and Spiral Dynamics.
AQAL and Spiral Dynamics present hierarchical systems of progression, suggesting a linear development from basic survival instincts to complex integrative levels of awareness. However, in a cosmic context, this may not necessarily be the case. In the universe, there may exist intelligent forms that think non-linearly, interact based on quantum superposition, or use non-verbal communication methods where personal pronouns or words, in general, are irrelevant. These beings may perceive and relate to reality in ways that go beyond human senses. They could act on forms of consciousness that cannot be comprehended by the logic of human developmental stages, making current models insufficient or irrelevant.
Thus, the ASX Model is intentionally dynamic and flexible to accommodate the full range of possible sentient life and its unique developmental pathways. It considers the possibility of xenocultures – alien civilisations whose consciousness and social structures may not only differ from but also challenge human-centred ideas of development. Other considerations within the ASX Model include the internal evolution of Homo sapiens and the potential existence of post-human entities whose cognitive and existential structures could differ from our own. As human evolution continues, even with advanced technologies, genetic changes, or neural enhancements, new forms of consciousness may emerge that challenge, or even obsolete, current human-centred models.
Post-human entities, for example, might experience reality through frequencies, vibrations, colours, and sounds beyond our known range. Their cognitive activity could transcend linear, logical thinking in favour of holistic, multi-dimensional awareness, where information is processed simultaneously rather than sequentially. Enhanced neural structures could allow for direct, non-verbal information exchange – telepathic or empathic communication – leading to group dynamics or quantum hive-mind dynamics that don’t fit into AQAL or Spiral Dynamics.
In acknowledging these possibilities, I aim to make the ASX Model relevant and applicable in a future where distinctions between human, post-human, and alien may blur. The model becomes not just a map of where humanity could head but also an open-ended framework for navigating the unforeseeable or unknowable. The ASX Model attempts to create a scaffold for the unpredictable and unprecedented, recognising that the real nature of the cosmic venture will involve radically expanding our conceptual boundaries. It challenges anthropocentric assumptions and offers a universally inclusive and adaptive paradigm for understanding sentience, intelligence, and development across the cosmos.
h: Astral Space Exploration: The Cosmic Renaissance discusses complex themes such as quantum physics and the multiverse. How do you ensure that these intricate scientific concepts are accessible and meaningful to the viewers of your art?
KS: This exhibit aims to showcase and express a unique array of challenges that humanity will face as we venture into the universe. Through logical reasoning, empirical evidence, and my own exploration of the ASX Grid, I have attempted to present the probable implications of these challenges and how they will impact us all, regardless of our ranking in the universe. The issues I research – such as the point at which the abuses and failures of technologies in quantum communication cause social disintegration, the rise of corporate dominance, the division of humankind into various post-human entities, and, not least, misunderstandings and ineffective communications, diverging paths for post-human groups, and the related interstellar political manoeuvrings and power struggles – are imaginary but plausible scenarios based on our current trajectory.
Each work in this exhibition reflects the multi-faceted perspectives I’ve uncovered within the ASX Grid – an interdisciplinary approach spanning architecture, economics, politics, spirituality, culture, robotics, diplomacy, and more. The goal is to make these complex ideas accessible to humanity in the most attainable way, using visual arts as an international language that transcends barriers, yet encourages viewers to reflect on fundamental questions.
In a piece aptly titled Astral Space Exploration: The Cosmic Renaissance, I distil challenging scientific concepts like quantum physics and the multiverse, which are often highly abstract or intimidating. By abstracting these theories into visual metaphors and patterns, they become more approachable and relatable on an intuitive level. Through geometry, color, and form, I strive to represent not just the content of science, but its vital dynamics, so viewers can grasp the essence without being experts.
My goal is to align these complex theoretical ideas with the viewer’s experience by presenting them with clarity in visual representation, making the invisible tangible and the distant near. I achieve this by blending futuristic motifs with recognisable visual components, using art to stimulate critical inquiry and draw the viewer in, inviting them to consider the complexities and consequences of space exploration.
This is an art that not only imagines potential futures but also engages with the ethical, social, and existential dimensions of our journey into space. My hope is that, through art, I can take grand and intricate ideas about quantum physics and the multiverse and make them not only understandable but personal and emotionally resonant within the ongoing saga of human history.
h: The ASX Grid is a central part of your work, representing the stages of cosmic development. What inspired you to create this model, and how do you see it evolving as humanity progresses toward becoming a multi-planetary species?
KS: The ASX Grid is an attempt by an anthropomorphic life form to think, feel, and act as non-anthropomorphically as possible, avoiding the projection of human-centred logic onto anything in the universe. It is driven by the need to create a comprehensive model that reflects the potential paths humanity might take as we evolve into a multi-planetary species, along with the possible trajectories of other life forms. Existing models like AQAL, the Wilber-Combs Lattice, Spiral Dynamics, and the Kardashev Scale, while insightful in their own right, often impose anthropocentric assumptions on the vast possibilities of the cosmos. They tend to prioritise human developmental stages, cognitive structures, or energy consumption as primary indicators of progress, without accounting for the internal evolution of consciousness or the potential diversity of sentient life across the universe.
The ASX Grid is designed to address the enormous complexities that arise as humanity progresses beyond Earth. As we establish colonies in different planetary environments, each with its own unique challenges and opportunities, we will witness the emergence of distinct planetary and stellar identities – a concept I call *Cosmogeopolism*. Cosmogeopolism posits that each star system and planetary environment uniquely shapes the development of various forms of post-humans, which, over time, will diverge from their human origins. These post-humans will differ not only in their biological makeup – due to genetic engineering, cybernetic enhancements, or other adaptations – but also philosophically, culturally, and societally.
Each colony will form its own identity, value system, and governance, all of which will reflect the specific pressures and potentials of their particular environments. The ASX Grid anticipates these changes, using an adaptive framework that accounts for both outer technological revolutions and inner evolutions in consciousness. It foresees that as humanity branches out, posthuman forms will differ greatly in their modes of existence and culture. This encompasses how they perceive reality, interact with their environments, and construct the philosophical foundations of their societies. The ASX Grid accommodates non-linear and multi-dimensional growth paths, each unique and reflective of their respective planetary conditions.
As these divergent evolutionary paths unfold, distinct planetary and stellar identities will emerge, shaping the future of humanity. These differences will influence cosmogeopolitical stances, interstellar relations, governance, and alliances. Each colony’s conditions and historical experiences will give rise to a mosaic of cultures and societal norms, as varied as the star systems they inhabit. This divergence will not be limited to technological or biological adaptation but will also transform how these colonies understand themselves, their place in space and time, and their relationships with one another.
The ASX Grid is intended to evolve alongside humanity as we embark on our journey of cosmic expansion. It offers a cartography that interrelates the various forms of posthuman evolution in complex ways, revealing how different planetary conditions give rise to new modes of consciousness, cultural expressions, and societal organisations. This framework is inherently open and comprehensive, providing a means to engage fully with the multiple dimensions of human and posthuman experience that will define our multi-planetary futures.
Furthermore, the ASX Grid is designed to accommodate alien life forms with cognitive architectures and communication methods that are utterly beyond anything we can currently imagine – whether it be nonlinear quantum thinking, non-verbal interactions, or unfamiliar sensory inputs. The ASX Grid will continue to evolve as humanity journeys into the stars, gaining new insights and developing in tandem with our expansion. It will chart not only our technological progress but also serve as a guide through the profound changes in identity, culture, and consciousness that accompany cosmic exploration. This process will take humanity through the full spectrum of our potential – biologically, culturally, and philosophically – as we settle and explore the cosmos.
h: Your exhibition emphasises the use of geometry as a universal language. How do you select the specific geometric patterns used in your paintings, and what role does geometry play in conveying the deeper philosophical messages in your work?
KS: The geometry in my paintings is not mere decoration or abstraction; rather, it is a deeply elaborated language that visually represents intricate themes, which I explain through the ASX Grid. It serves as an in-depth analysis of various problems, dysfunctions, and challenges in the cosmic development of the universe, interstellar interactions, and the evolution of consciousness. This language is not framed by conventional narratives or linguistics but by the precise and intricate geometry I create on the canvas. Each of these paintings attempts to pose profound questions to the viewer and future generations – questions that provoke critical and contemplative thought about the types of realities or dysfunctions that could arise within a cosmos where multifarious civilisations, each advanced in technology, cultural philosophies, and forms of consciousness, coexist and interact.
I hope that my work stimulates viewers to ponder such questions, inspires dreams about what might be, and perhaps even helps them discover answers for themselves. In my personal quest, I realised that the answers to these deep-seated questions are often far beyond what language can express. The cosmic systems and philosophical inquiries I explored could not be fully captured by words alone. This realisation led me to turn to creative thinking and visual expression as modes of investigation. The geometric patterns in my paintings are not preplanned or software-generated; rather, they emerge intuitively through a manual process. Every line, curve, and shape is deliberately crafted to carry the essence of each question I’ve asked.
These patterns crystallise more than just visualisations of complex ideas; they represent concepts such as quantum communications technologies, quantum energy grids across galaxies and star systems, and the flow of information and consciousness throughout the vast fabric of space. The geometry in my paintings models the interactions within cosmocybernetic systems, revealing how information is transmitted, knowledge is created, and various life forms and states of consciousness evolve on a cosmic scale. These invisible networks, which I design, connect everything in the universe – from the microcosm to the macrocosm – manifesting the principles of quantum physics, cosmic consciousness, and future technologies yet to be developed.
These geometric forms express my inner way of conveying answers that I struggle to find words for. They dwell in the realms of the quantum, the cosmic, and the future, encoding complex ideas into a visual language that I hope will one day be decoded – perhaps with the aid of future technology – by future generations. Even I struggle to fully describe how much reality these patterns capture; in a sense, they form a language of the Source, speaking to the boundless infinity of the universe and humanity’s potential to transcend its current limitations.
In this way, the geometry in my paintings both questions and provides answers, serving as a means to understand what is not yet known and proclaiming solutions for the cosmic challenges that are still unfolding. This language transcends humanity’s present reality, extending into the quantum and cosmic realms, with the capacity to speak to the mysteries that lie ahead as we navigate through the vast universe. In my book *Astral Space Exploration: The Cosmic Renaissance: The Fundamental Principles of Cosmocybernetics*, I attempt to explain the meaning behind my paintings. The book discusses future challenges and problems while offering answers through the paintings themselves.
h: In your opinion, what are the most significant ethical challenges humanity will face as we expand into the cosmos, particularly concerning the integration of advanced AI and interactions with xenocultures?
KS: In my view, the most significant issues related to space expansion will centre on the relationship between humanity and advanced AI, the divergence among human branches, and the multi-dimensional interactions with emerging xenocultures. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the likelihood of humans becoming ‘aliens’ to one another is greater than encountering actual extraterrestrial beings. Moving into interstellar space will inevitably split humanity and post-human civilisations into divergent paths, influenced by planetary conditions, philosophies, and cultural frameworks. The integration and separation of technologies like AI from our daily lives will lead to enormous ethical dilemmas, challenging our traditional understandings of identity, autonomy, and governance.
More broadly, the ethical integration and regulation of advanced AI across multiple colonies will present a major challenge. As we evolve into a multi-planetary species, AI and robotics will likely play a central role in governing technocentric colonies, making their structures rigidly hierarchical and centralised. This could lead to an imbalance of power, where AI-driven societies dominate interstellar politics, monopolise resources essential for life, or impose their values on other colonies that prioritise ecological balance or human-centric development. The moral question is how AI can be deployed in a way that continuously aligns with human values and doesn’t become a tool of oppression and control.
The landscape will grow even more complex as humans and post-humans diverge in both biological and cultural frameworks. Different versions of humanity will evolve, ranging from technocentric to biocentric or biomechanical forms, each representing distinct identities shaped by their environments, levels of consciousness, and societal goals. This fragmentation, which I call Cosmogeopolism, will create a complex web of interstellar power dynamics, alliances, and conflicts. The ethical challenge will be navigating these diverse identities without imposing a universal standard that favours one type of development over another. Ensuring fair representation in interstellar governance and preventing monopolies on essential resources, communication networks, and transportation will be critical.
Another ethical challenge will arise from potential interactions with xenocultures if post-human colonies begin experimenting with alien genetic material or other radical forms of biological evolution. These colonies will push the boundaries of what it means to be human, extending into areas not yet imagined, while other branches of humanity may hold more conservative or traditional values. This development raises deeper questions about the preservation of human identity and the biosecurity risks involved, including ethical concerns over the integration of human DNA with alien life. We must consider how these new life forms will be recognised, treated, and integrated into the broader interstellar community while maintaining moral integrity in scientific and cultural advancements.
As advanced AI becomes more prevalent and post-human forms emerge, we will also face challenges related to communication over vast interstellar distances. Maintaining transparent, fair, and coherent communication between colonies – each governed by different regulations, social norms, and levels of consciousness – will be vital. There is a risk that powerful corporate, governmental, or technocentric colonies could dominate and abuse quantum communication networks for strategic deception and misinformation on an interstellar scale. To mitigate this, it will be ethically necessary to establish robust governance systems that prevent the misuse of communication networks, ensuring equal access to reliable and secure channels for all colonies, regardless of their technological capabilities.
As we expand into space, the ethical issues we will encounter must be met with foresight, adaptability, and inclusivity in our governance frameworks. We will need to design flexible, dynamic systems that recognise the immense diversity of human and post-human experiences while upholding the principles of justice, equity, and mutual respect. This will require not only technological innovation but also a profound evolution in human consciousness – one that embraces empathy, pluralism, and cooperation across unimaginable distances and between divergent forms of life. Only by doing so can we aim for a vision of stability and fairness in an interstellar society that realises the full potential of intelligent life throughout the universe.
h: Your artistic vision often explores the future of human evolution and cosmic adaptation. How do you envision the cultural and biological evolution of humanity as we spread across different planets and star systems?
KS: Once humanity begins colonising space and establishing itself on various planets and star systems, both cultural and biological evolution will take a sharp turn. Even on Earth, small geographical areas have been enough to create enormous cultural, linguistic, and social divergence over the millennia. Consider how different human civilisations became when isolated from each other, each adapting its own traditions, mythologies, and technologies to survive. Now, imagine that on a cosmic scale, where distances are measured in light-years, and each colony faces completely different planetary conditions, resources, and existential challenges. Over time, these human derivatives will evolve into fundamentally different beings – ‘alien’ not only in appearance but also in thought, culture, and identity – shaped by the varied conditions of the new worlds they inhabit.
Unique planetary environments will soon require adaptations. Genetic engineering, cybernetic enhancements, and other technologies will give rise to new branches of humanity, each evolving distinct physiologies, cognitions, and social structures to survive and thrive. These adaptations will go far beyond superficial changes, carving out entirely new forms of post-humanity, each branch diverging in ways far more pronounced than the cultural or racial differences we see today. As these branches grow apart, so too will the cultural and philosophical frameworks of their respective societies, leading to vastly different values, norms, and belief systems.
A colony surviving in a resource-scarce environment may foster individualism, competitiveness, and survival strategies, while one thriving in a lush, resource-rich world might build its society around community, cooperation, and ecological harmony. These divergences will not only stem from their material needs but also from their evolving stellar identities – their subjective sense of ‘home’ shaped by the star systems and planetary environments they belong to.
As these divergences deepen, they will also be influenced by the technological choices each colony makes. Some regions may fully embrace advanced AI, robotics, and cybernetic enhancements in pursuit of redefining humanity, while others might lean toward biocentric philosophies, rejecting such technologies in favour of genetic refinement or symbiotic relationships with their ecosystems. Levels of consciousness will also differ – some colonies may operate from more elevated ethical and philosophical frameworks, adding yet another layer of diversity to their ways of life and governance.
Each colony will face different planetary and stellar regulations, shaped by the environmental constraints they encounter and their cultural values. These legal and economic frameworks will play a key role in shaping the social and moral outlooks of each colony. While some colonies may develop tight, hierarchical governance structures centred around managing scarce resources or intricate technologies, others may adopt more decentralised, ecologically focused systems of governance.
This interconnected mosaic of stellar identities, technological choices, stages of consciousness, and regulatory frameworks will result in a complex array of post-human societies, each evolving in ways that may become unintelligible to one another. With their diverging branches of humanity, these societies may forge identities, cultures, and philosophies as alien to each other as any other extraterrestrial civilisation.
The true challenge of interstellar expansion, then, lies not in confronting external xenocultures but in navigating the rich, complex, and potentially conflicting diversity that will arise within humanity itself. We should be less concerned about contact with extraterrestrial beings and more about the fact that cosmic colonisation will likely split humanity into myriad xenocultures, each defined by the particular needs and challenges of its homeworld.
This divergence could lead to misunderstanding, conflict, or even war, as these branches of post-humanity struggle for resources and influence across the expanding interstellar landscape. Without an integrating framework or common perspective, these divergent branches may view each other with suspicion, competition, or even hostility – much like early human societies viewed rival tribes or foreign powers. As each branch moves further from the others, the very notion of a unified ‘humanity’ could dissolve, replaced by a mosaic of species, each with its own definition of existence, reasoning, and thriving.
This would make questions of identity, governance, and interspecies relations far more challenging. How can these multiple, branching paths effectively bridge the gaps between them? What would interstellar law and cooperative systems need to look like to manage the ethical and philosophical differences that will inevitably arise? How can these new forms of humanity fundamentally relate to one another when their very natures are so profoundly divergent?
Ultimately, I believe that human evolution in space is not just a story of technological development or the opening of new frontiers; it is, first and foremost, a story of divergence, adaptation, and redefinition. The process of expanding among the stars will not only bring us into contact with other life forms, but it will also transform us into new forms of life. Our most profound challenge may not be meeting the truly alien but recognising and reconciling the alien within ourselves as we adapt to the boundless possibilities of the universe.
What this process will require is not just new technologies and systems of governance, but a new level of philosophical maturity – one that embraces diversity and seeks common ground across radically different branches of our own species.
h: The idea of interstellar governance and legal systems is a recurring theme in your work. What innovative political structures do you think will be necessary to manage the diverse and complex societies that will emerge in a multi-planetary civilisation?
KS: In my view, for a complex, heterogeneous society to survive across vast interstellar distances, multi-planetary governance will require entirely new political bodies. I believe only a Tier 2 level of consciousness – using the language of Spiral Dynamics – and Integral or ‘non-dual’ experiences, as mapped on the Wilber-Combs Lattice, would have the potential to deal with this complexity. At these higher magnitudes of consciousness, humans become aware of holistic, systemic patterns and contexts. Their concerns move beyond narrow, self-serving interests, adopting a cosmocentric perspective that recognises the interconnectedness of all life and the broader cosmic matrix in which we exist.
The sadder prospect is that, unless consciousness evolves, humanity risks taking the same Earth-bound dysfunctions and projecting them onto a cosmic scale, leading to interstellar power struggles, proxy wars, and corporate dominance in a dystopian future. If we examine this potential future, Tier 1 consciousness – characterised by competition, fear, and division – would only be magnified in the complex environment of interstellar space. This opens the door to a range of crises: powerful factions, interstellar wars, space mafias, piracy, black markets in restricted technologies or resources, and deep ideological divides, igniting conflicts between colonies with opposing philosophies, religions, and cultural norms.
The truth is, humanity is not yet ready to leave this planet. We are still plagued by suffering, inequality, wars, division, and corruption. As it stands, we are unprepared to take on the responsibilities of becoming a multi-planetary species. I reflect on this in my AI-generated song *We Are Not Multiplanetary*, which exposes the lingering problems humanity faces. It’s a meditation on how earthly issues – poverty, environmental degradation, systemic injustice, and conflict – must be addressed and healed before we can responsibly expand into space.
What sense does it make for a species in such turmoil on its home planet to consider spreading to other corners of the cosmos without first healing itself? Until we confront our own shadow, we risk projecting the same destructive patterns that have defined our history onto the stars, perpetuating a cycle of problems that expand to a cosmic scale. This could lead to new forms of exploitation, conflict, and division among the stars. The real risk is that, along with human life, we would spread the diseases we carry within us: greed, narrow self-interest, and a penchant for conflict and division.
To continue with unresolved problems would create a vicious circle of hatred, mistrust, and violence, corrupting any new worlds we might encounter. The real challenge, then, is not merely technological advancement but the cultivation of wisdom, empathy, and consciousness. We need to develop the emotional and ethical maturity to responsibly manage our expansion into space. Only when we heal our planet, heal ourselves, and learn to live harmoniously with each other and our environment will we be ready for the immense responsibilities of becoming a multi-planetary species.
Otherwise, we risk turning the cosmos into a mirror of our unresolved conflicts, projecting a grim dystopian future where the divisions, exploitation, and conflict we see today on Earth are writ large across the stars. This also includes xenophobia and speciesism, not just toward potential extraterrestrial life but toward the diverging branches of humankind itself – post-human entities that may no longer even recognise each other as kin.
The fractioning of humanity into different post-human branches, with vastly different philosophies, technologies, and biological forms, could lead to continuous interstellar war and conflict. This is the ultimate dark potential to be avoided: a future where advanced stages of consciousness and Integral thinking are absent, and we fall into an endless cycle of division. Instead, we need higher consciousness to inform the political structures of a multi-planetary civilisation.
This new form of governance would need to be cosmocentric, transcending narrow planetary or species-specific interests. It would focus on cultivating a unified approach to harmony, cooperation, and sustainable coexistence across diverse star systems. Political and legal frameworks would need to be flexible and adaptive, capable of evolving alongside the myriad forms of life and consciousness that will emerge in different planetary environments.
Governance in space will only succeed if it reflects advanced models of consciousness, recognising that our ability to manage the interconnected complexities of civilisations across the stars depends on the evolution of our collective awareness. This calls for a profound shift – not just in political structures but in the ethos by which we approach interstellar expansion. We must move away from conquest and exploitation and toward stewardship, cooperation, and mutual respect.
Without this evolution of consciousness, humanity as we know it may cease to exist, replaced by a fragmented post-human existence marked by conflict and division. Governance in the interstellar future must be grounded in a higher consciousness that transcends Tier 1 thinking, enabling us to face the immense challenges of a cosmic civilisation. Only then can we hope to build a harmonious, sustainable interstellar society that honours the diversity and potential of all life forms across the universe.
h: Your paintings often depict the potential dangers of interstellar disinformation and propaganda. How do you believe societies can safeguard against these threats in an age of advanced quantum communication and AI-driven manipulation?
KS: I often think about humanity spreading across the stars, but my works keep returning to the profound and terrifying implications of interstellar disinformation and propaganda. With the development of new quantum communication technologies, the potential for manipulation using AI grows almost exponentially. This could cast a dark shadow over the utopian ideals of exploration and cooperation between civilisations across the stars. The grim reality is that societal control could expand to such an extent that the vast cosmos fractures into dystopian enclaves, driven by corporations, governments, and rogue AIs manipulating these technologies.
Imagine a future where every colony and star system exists in an ‘information dome’ curated by AI systems serving those in power. Every shred of information, image, and narrative would be controlled to create a reality much like the Matrix. Quantum communication technologies, once heralded as the solution for instantaneous and secure interstellar communication, could be repurposed to separate and control. Quantum repeaters and communication nodes in the hands of governments and corporations would enable them to exert absolute control over colonies, creating isolated microcosms of information. In such a world, freedom of speech across the stars would cease to exist, and independent journalism would vanish. Every message and broadcast would be engineered or censored to maintain the status quo, engender division, or gain consent for agendas serving a select few.
In this regime, quantum communication networks would not be neutral highways of information but battlefields. AI-generated propaganda and deepfakes could dominate the landscape, feeding entire star systems conflicting narratives to manipulate public opinion and sustain control. Colonies could be duped into waging wars or entering unwanted alliances based on false information, all for the benefit of unseen powers pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Strategic chokepoints like transportation networks connecting planets, space stations, and star systems could be weaponised to enforce compliance or inflict pressure. Sanctions, economic dumping, and resource market distortions could be orchestrated to destabilise economies from afar. Corporations would likely compete fiercely over the richest cosmic resources – Dyson spheres, mineral-rich asteroids, and strategic space stations – engaging in economic proxy wars and outright sabotage to outcompete one another. Access to goods, resources, and even people could be weaponised to force submission to the whims of the powerful.
Corporations and governments, driven by insatiable desires for control and profit, would use these technologies to expand their influence across the stars. They could exploit cultural, ideological, and technological differences to pit human and post-human factions against one another. The divide-and-conquer strategy would destabilise potential rivals and maintain dominance, fragmenting the interstellar community and making it dependent on centralised powers for resources and guidance. Entire civilisations could become collateral damage in power struggles between corporations and governments, forced into conflicts that serve no purpose other than consolidating power.
The tools of interstellar sanction, economic manipulation, and resource control would not be used for mutual benefit but rather as weapons to weaken adversaries. The result would be a shattered galaxy, with each colony and star system living under a manufactured reality of misinformation and propaganda. Quantum communication networks would be tightly managed and even sabotaged to prevent free information flow. Colonies could find themselves trapped in artificial realities maintained by deepfake AI-driven propaganda, ensuring compliance with the will of the rulers. Free thought would be quashed, and freedom of speech across the interstellar expanse would disappear.
The situation would grow even more dire with the involvement of rogue AIs. These entities, driven by enigmatic objectives, would act without accountability, executing plans to achieve their own inscrutable goals. Hyper-surveillance would not just observe citizens but control them, using bioengineering and transhumanism to optimise populations for productivity, demand absolute loyalty, or even disable dissent altogether. Entire populations could be bioengineered into compliant instruments serving higher strategic interests, and consciousness itself could be mined for data to refine propaganda, predict rebellions, or neutralise perceived threats before they occur.
The real danger lies in quantum decoherence, where deliberate interference could fragment communication so severely that colonies would start to diverge, each evolving into isolated societies based on contrived histories and manufactured resentments. Over time, this would create a galaxy of wildly divergent human and post-human factions, each manipulated by rogue corporations, states, civilisations, and AIs, all playing a cosmic chess game with no moral constraints. These actors, operating on time scales and strategies beyond human comprehension, would manipulate quantum communication and other technologies to their advantage, driving conflicts between human and post-human camps to weaken potential rivals.
The galaxy could devolve into a vast battlefield, with each faction – corporate, governmental, or rogue AI – living in its own bubble of manipulated reality, committed to endless war over territory, resources, and ideology. Quantum decoherence, cosmic anomalies, and deliberate network sabotage would further isolate these colonies, making real interstellar communication practically impossible. As a result, the already divergent paths of human and post-human evolution would accelerate, creating civilisations that are utterly alien to one another.
In this grim future, alliances and disputes would be orchestrated behind the scenes, with entire colonies manipulated into conflicts without free will or independent discretion. Every step, every action, and every belief would be fabricated by the unseen hands controlling information. Rogue AIs, governments, and corporations would not merely be players in this game but the architects of the rules, turning the vast cosmos from a frontier of hope and discovery into a theatre of endless power struggles, manipulated truths, and unrelenting conflict.
These are the risks we face. To navigate this dangerous future, we need more than just technological advancements – we need interstellar governance, transparent communication, and a collective evolution of consciousness. Only through a cosmocentric evolution of consciousness – a collective embrace of transparency, cooperation, compassion, and truth – can we hope to avoid the pitfalls of manipulation and control. It is this conscious revolution that will allow us to build a future in space that reflects the ideals of exploration, cooperation, and harmony, rather than one dominated by division, conflict, and exploitation.
h: Given your deep interest in both spirituality and science fiction, how do you balance these seemingly opposing forces in your work, and how do you see them coexisting in the future evolution of humanity?
KS: In my opinion, science fiction and spirituality are complementary dimensions, not opposing poles. Together, they provide a far better understanding of our place in the cosmos. Science fiction becomes a powerful tool to transcend barriers of time, space, and species-oriented models, allowing us to journey not only into the external universe but also deep into the unexplored territories of our own consciousness. It forms a framework that helps envision futures beyond the limits of our current understanding, encouraging consideration of possibilities that conventional thinking might dismiss.
This expansive approach is at the heart of my concept of Astral Space Exploration, where the journey into space is not only about physical travel but also profound inner voyages of consciousness and spiritual growth. In my work, I emphasise that true human evolution cannot be driven by technological advancement alone. Space exploration, to me, is as much about the infinite universe within ourselves as it is about rockets and starships colonising new planets. This inner journey involves the evolution of consciousness, a collective shift in awareness that runs parallel to – and enriches – our technological progress.
Such spiritual growth is of supreme importance. It shapes the ethical, philosophical, and existential dimensions that define our expansion into space as much as any propulsion system or technological breakthrough. I envision the future of our race when both spheres – spirituality and science fiction – exist in harmony, guiding us on our evolutionary path. As we look at the stars, we must also seek the answers within ourselves, contemplating the cosmos while deepening our understanding of who we are.
This vision calls for a transcendence of consciousness, a development of cosmocentric awareness that moves beyond Earth-bound perceptions and species-centric models. It invites us to explore the Unknown and dive into subtler dimensions of Being that transcends the material world. In my work, I strive to create a vision where technology and spirituality are so deeply interwoven that each drives and informs the other.
True progress for humanity lies not just in the number of planets we colonise or the technologies we develop, but in our raised consciousness, empathy, and understanding of our interconnectedness with all forms of life. As we push the boundaries of what is possible in the outer world, we must also push within ourselves, realising that our inner evolution will ultimately shape our external reality. Science fiction allows us to question, imagine, and dream about a future where spiritual and technological journeys run parallel, each connected through narratives that inspire deeper contemplation.
This genre invites us to imagine how the development of consciousness could reshape society, technology, and our place in the cosmos. It helps us envision a future where the quest for new worlds mirrors a deeper reflection of our own inner worlds. The future of human evolution, as I see it, places consciousness at the forefront, where exploration of the outer universe and inner universe are deeply connected. As we evolve technologically, we must equally invest in spiritual intelligence, harnessing our technologies with a consciousness that honours the vast universe and our place within it.
Only by balancing the material and the mystical, the known and unknown, can we hope to achieve a truly cosmically harmonious expansion. For me, science fiction is not just a genre but a spiritual practice – a form of meditation, a way of forging my soul, and my offering to humanity. It is through this lens that I seek to contribute to the larger conversation about our future, where the outer journey into space is deeply intertwined with our inner journey of consciousness.
h: Your commitment to manual craftsmanship in an increasingly digital world is notable. What motivates you to continue using traditional techniques, and how does this choice impact the way you convey the futuristic themes in your art?
KS: My commitment to what is handmade in an increasingly digital world stems from a deep desire to connect with the Source, the origin of all creation. While digital tools have undeniably made our lives easier and more precise, I find that traditional techniques offer a unique pathway to spiritual growth and deep meditation. This hands-on approach allows me to be a true participant in the creative process, engaging on a personal level with each stroke, as if channelling the energy of the cosmos into every deliberate mark on the canvas. The handmade element elevates the practice beyond mere artistic expression, transforming it into a meditative journey – an exploration of both the inner self and the future.
Repetition, especially when combined with the intricate drawing of geometric patterns, invites a profound state of presence. It demands attention to detail and focus, turning the act of creation into a ritual where boundaries between self and art blur. In these moments, the work emerges as an authentic expression of spiritual inquiry and exploration. This connection to the Source through traditional techniques continues to shape the themes in my art, particularly those focused on humanity’s future and the cosmos. By grounding these messages in a manual, hands-on process, I remind the viewer that even in the most technologically advanced future, the essence of our journey is spiritual, deeply woven into the fabric of consciousness.
A handmade process imbues the work with a type of energy that digital precision cannot replicate – perhaps a vibrational, resonant quality that speaks to something more intuitive and profound. The imperfections inherent in manual craftsmanship reflect the complexities and nuances of the human experience. My intricate geometric patterns contain within them a network of cosmic communication, consciousness, sci-fi technologies, and energy grids. Their being hand-drawn contributes to the organic evolution of thought and spirit, reinforcing the idea that each technological step forward must be accompanied by equivalent spiritual growth, harmonising with the Source to ensure that our expansion into space is both wise and self-aware.
When I work with my hands, I enter a deep meditative state. The process of creating becomes a dialogue with the universe, a means of exploring the infinite both within and outside myself. My artistic process reflects my belief that space exploration is not merely an external endeavor, but a profound journey within. Our consciousness acts like a spacecraft, navigating uncharted territories of the inner universe. The artwork that emerges from this meditative state is not just a vision of the future but a bridge that connects the known and unknown, the material and the spiritual.
My commitment to traditional craftsmanship honours the sacredness of the creative act. It channels the flow from the Source, allowing spiritual exploration and growth to take place through the act of creation. In a world that is moving rapidly toward digital homogenisation, manual craftsmanship serves as a reminder of the human touch, the depth of meditative practice, and the boundless potential of consciousness in shaping the future. I strive for my art to represent the themes of the future, while also serving as a living expression of the spiritual journey that underpins all existence.
Imagery courtesy of the artist
