Life

This NFT, which is one minute and twenty-eight seconds long, shows the gradual explosion of a section of a wall. The video’s framing, with its slight vignette effect, remains constant throughout the sequence and focuses on the facade of a building. Starting with the word “life” inscribed on the facade, the explosion quickly transforms the word into “lifeless.” The use of explosives in Vhils’ work was first introduced in 2010 in the “Detritos” series, which reflects the economic damage caused by the 2008 financial crisis. Following scalpels, scissors, drills, and jackhammers, the use of explosives is a logical extension of his bas-relief sculpting technique applied to walls. By filming his videos with a high-speed digital camera, Vhils highlights the poetic intensity of the explosion through slow motion. Accompanied by the long, muffled sound of the explosion, this work symbolizes the transition from life to death, reflecting the tragic reality of armed conflicts.