2023 – 2026 (work in progress). AR-project and site-specific performative tour
GROGNET’S DREAM is an Augmented Reality Experience in 5 chapters.
In front of and inside of the Rotunda of Mosta, Mosta, Malta
To be experienced via smartphone or iPad
The project “GROGNET AR” is dedicated to Grognet’s heritage, to Plato’s Atlantis-story, but also to contemporary Malta and the reception of these historical artefacts – these various conceptual and historical levels are interconnected via Augmented Reality (AR) and will be accessible to everyone who owns a smart device in various locations in Mosta and Valletta. These experiences can be experiences visually, conceptually, physically and experimentally. AR and real world mix in a blend of fake and truth in the public space.
Giorgio Grognet de Vassé was a Maltese Architect – he is famous for building the Rotunda of Mosta. (1830 – 1860s)
In his spare time, he tried to prove that Malta was Atlantis, which he firmly believed. He produces various drawings depicting the Atlantis landmass around Malta, he includes “Atlantean” shapes into the decoration of the church and even forged a stone with “Atlantean” letters. In the 1830s, several scientists in Europe believed that Grognet had indeed provided proof of Atlantis’ existence and location, but shortly after his forgery the hoax was discovered.
Grognet inisted that he wanted to show the “truth”.
With “GROGNET AR”, I want to narrate Giorgio Grognet de Vassé (1774 – 1862) life, works, and beliefs. Grognet was an architect, known for designing the Rotunda of Mosta, the world’s third-largest unsupported dome. Yet, he is also known for forging a stone with alleged Atlantean Letters, writing a fake guide book, as well as creating a series of drawings that depict Malta as Atlantis. In Paris, Grognet and his friend de Fortia held two lectures about their fake stone at the Société Asiatique. The Société was founded by Antoine-Isaac Silvestre de Sacy (1758-1838), a French linguist and orientalist, described by Edward Said as “the teacher of nearly every major Orientalist in Europe.” Seen from 2021, Grognet and Sacy were on opposite sides of the scientific spectrum; however, both were self-referential systems: Grognet through his archaeological “fan-fiction” and Sacy through racist interpretations of ancient artefacts (Orientalism). Grognet was so convinced of his “Atlantean truth” (Ganado) that he fabricated physical evidence to prove it – and got stuck in his own hoax.
Outside, I go into details of Grognet’s life. We experience his map drawings as walk-on maps in larger-than-life size.
Moreover, Grognet’s hoax is still today used as “evidence” (e.g. Mifsud e.al. 2010). Thus, his life can serve as a lens to reflect the personality of someone who falls into today’s fake-news rabbit holes, constructing a parallel reality. The search for a utopian society, be it Atlantis or Egypt, is paralleled in 21st century fake news. Which role does myth play in historical and contemporary narratives? Does “Atlantis” show a desire for nationalistic utopia? Does the search for a perfect society not prevent us from fixing our social problems in the present?
Inside the Dome, the AR experience consists of swarms of Grognet’s “Atlantean letters” falling like snow from the center of the ceiling, then manifesting into large clouds and swirling like starling murmurations or fish swarms through the space of the dome. Four faces in clouds, like ancient wind cherubs, appear and blow wind towards the swarm.
The faces represent Plato (writer of the original Atlantis-myth), Fortia d’Urban (Grognet’s best friend and helper in the hoax), Napoleon (whom Grognet followed in his early 20s) and God (Grognet had originally studied to become priest).
Eventually, the letters fade and disappear.
Work in Progress – images from a test run on October 2023. Research funded by Malta Arts Funds. Open to further collaboration
