Hello Herbert

‘Hello Herbert’ is an immersive fusion of art and science that evokes Herbert W. Franke’s interdisciplinary legacy. Created in conversation with a generative text AI, combining generative music, and visuals, the piece offers a poignant meditation on the nature of communication, connection, and the cosmic scale of time. A binary-esque pulse, echoing the structure of the original Arecibo message, serves as the artwork’s central motif. It not only nods to Franke’s speculation about the future and artificial intelligence but also exemplifies the power of simplicity in bridging gaps between profoundly different entities. This pulse, representing the numbers one to ten, becomes a universal symbol of outreach; an almost instinctive attempt to communicate across unknown divides. The speculative idea that the Arecibo message is received by an advanced extraterrestrial intelligence enriches the narrative with a profound sense of wonder. It highlights the fragility of human attempts at communication, and shows that our curiosity and need to connect transcend even the inevitability of individual mortality. This imagined phatic response from another lifeform—rooted in the principles of communication theory—reinforces the enduring significance of humanity’s gestures toward the stars, even when separated by vast expanses of time and space. This artwork embodies a spirit of exploration. It aligns Franke’s legacy with the ongoing quest for understanding and connection, offering a contemplative experience that is as much about humanity’s cosmic insignificance as it is about our boundless capacity for reaching out to the unknown. ‘Hello Herbert’ was presented by the Herbert W. Franke Foundation during ‘Contact Attempt’ at Planetarium Bochum and Planetarium Hamburg in November 2024.