The Firetti Gallery hosted the exhibition Astral Space Exploration: The Cosmic Renaissance by Kaikhan Salakhov and we interviewed the artist in an attempt to understand his amazing work.

What inspired you to create the ASX Grid? Was there a particular moment or idea that sparked its conception?

The ASX Grid was inspired by a desire to expand upon the foundations laid by existing frameworks, such as the Kardashev Scale, AQAL (All Quadrants, All Levels), and Spiral Dynamics. These models have each contributed invaluable insights into the understanding of human and cosmic development within their respective domains. However, in their focus on specific aspects—be it technological capacity, consciousness, or cultural growth—they tend to operate independently of one another, leaving significant opportunities for integration. For example, the Kardashev Scale is a remarkable tool for evaluating a civilization’s energy consumption and technological progress, yet it does not account for the internal dimensions of consciousness, cultural evolution, or ethical development that shape the direction of technological use. On the other hand, AQAL and Spiral Dynamics delve deeply into internal growth, mapping states of awareness, values, and cultural dynamics, but remain anthropocentric, primarily focused on human development without a direct link to the broader cosmic realities of interstellar expansion.

The ASX Grid arose from the recognition that these dimensions—external technological advancements and internal states of consciousness—are interconnected and must be considered together to form a holistic understanding of civilization’s advancement. It was important to me to develop a framework that complements these existing models while addressing areas they do not traditionally explore. The conceptual foundation of the ASX Grid is deeply rooted in my background in architecture and my exploration of fractal geometries. Fractals, which illustrate complexity and interconnectedness across scales, provided a powerful metaphor for mapping the interplay between technological, cultural, and spiritual evolution. This approach allowed me to create a non-linear model where each stage of development builds upon the previous one while remaining part of an integrated whole. What sets the ASX Grid apart is its flexibility and inclusivity. While other models have made remarkable contributions to understanding human evolution, they often project Earth-based developmental patterns onto cosmic contexts, which may not adequately account for the diversity of life forms and their unique evolutionary trajectories. The ASX Grid seeks to address this by proposing a framework that is non-linear and non-anthropocentric, capable of encompassing civilizations with radically different cognitive architectures, existential needs, and modes of communication.

For instance, the ASX Grid considers the possibility of sentient beings whose development is not bound by traditional energy consumption or hierarchical progressions. These beings might operate within frameworks of multidimensional consciousness, non-verbal collective intelligence, or quantum-based cognition. By embracing such possibilities, the ASX Grid expands beyond anthropocentric assumptions and provides a more universal tool for navigating the complexities of interstellar exploration and cultural integration. In essence, the ASX Grid complements and builds upon the strengths of existing frameworks while addressing the broader spectrum of challenges and opportunities that arise in a cosmic context. It integrates technological, cultural, and consciousness-based evolution into a cohesive model, offering a roadmap that is flexible enough to adapt to the diversity of life forms and their unique pathways of development. This inclusivity ensures the ASX Grid remains relevant not only for humanity but for any sentient beings we may encounter as we explore the cosmos.

How can you explain in simple words what the ASX-Grid model is?

The ASX Grid is a conceptual framework that outlines the progressive development of civilizations, from planetary existence to universal integration. It combines technological advancements, such as space exploration, with the evolution of consciousness and cultural values, providing a balanced model for understanding the interplay between external progress and internal growth.

What challenges or contradictions did you encounter when developing the ASX-Grid, especially when trying to combine art, science, and philosophy in one cohesive model?

Developing the ASX Grid required reconciling the distinct languages of art, science, and philosophy—fields that often approach the same questions from vastly different perspectives. One significant challenge was ensuring that the scientific elements, such as energy systems and technological capabilities, were compatible with philosophical frameworks that explore consciousness and ethical evolution. For instance, integrating the Kardashev Scale’s focus on energy with models like AQAL, which prioritize subjective and intersubjective growth, required finding common ground between external metrics and internal realities.

Another contradiction arose in art’s role within the model. Art inherently invites subjective interpretation, while the ASX Grid aims to provide a structured, objective framework for cosmic development. Striking a balance between these aspects meant ensuring that the artistic expressions—such as geometric symbolism—remained meaningful yet adaptable, allowing for multiple interpretations while adhering to the model’s core principles.

Additionally, avoiding anthropocentrism was a consistent challenge. Most existing models are human-focused, projecting our developmental trajectory onto other civilizations. The ASX Grid required a departure from this bias, necessitating a flexible framework that could encompass alien civilizations, post-human entities, and non-linear evolutionary paths. Achieving this balance demanded careful integration of speculative elements with scientific plausibility and philosophical depth.

In your work, you integrate geometric symbolism to represent cosmic principles. Do you see geometry as a universal language that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries, or is it a tool for your personal exploration of metaphysical concepts?

In my work, geometry serves as both a universal language and a tool for exploring complex metaphysical ideas. Its universal aspect lies in its ability to transcend cultural and temporal boundaries, reflecting the fundamental structures of the cosmos. Geometry appears in natural forms, from the arrangement of galaxies to the patterns of atomic structures, making it a common denominator that civilizations—human or extraterrestrial—can potentially understand. This universality allows it to act as a bridge between disciplines like art, science, and philosophy.

At the heart of my artistic practice, geometry serves as the visual backbone of the Astral Space Exploration (ASX) Grid, a model that charts the evolutionary progression of civilizations across eight stages—from the Pre-Planetary to the Universal Stage. Each stage corresponds to increasingly complex and interconnected systems, and the geometry in my paintings scales accordingly to reflect these transitions:

Pre-Planetary Stage: Simple patterns symbolize foundational structures, such as subatomic particles and the precursors of life.

Planetary Stage: The geometry evolves to represent planetary ecosystems, reflecting the intricate balance between natural systems and early human civilizations.

Multiplanetary Stage: Patterns expand to illustrate planetary systems and interplanetary networks, emphasizing collaborative progress and connectivity.

Transplanetary Stage: The focus shifts to vast interstellar pathways, with geometric elements mapping billions of star systems.

Galactic Stage: Intricate designs portray galactic dynamics, including star clusters and black hole interactions, visualizing civilizations navigating their home galaxy.

Multigalactic Stage: The geometry grows to encompass clusters and superclusters, illustrating the interactions and unity among multiple galaxies.

Transgalactic Stage: Patterns reach an expansive scale, visualizing the interconnected web of galactic filaments across the cosmic structure.

Universal Stage: The geometry culminates in representing the convergence of multiverses, symbolizing a singular, unified field of existence.

These geometric forms are not merely aesthetic choices but a storytelling device, interconnecting all 36 paintings of The Cosmic Renaissance into a cohesive visual narrative. Each painting acts as a chapter in a sci-fi novel told through art, exploring challenges and solutions across the stages of the ASX Grid. The interconnected patterns weave themes such as interstellar robotics, architecture, economics, and consciousness, illustrating how these disciplines evolve in harmony with cosmic development.

Beyond its universal function, geometry in my work serves as a personal tool for exploring metaphysical concepts that transcend language and current scientific understanding. The visual patterns allow me to engage deeply with questions of consciousness, technology, and cosmic interconnectedness. They symbolize not only the physical structures of the cosmos but also the flow of information, energy, and consciousness that binds these structures together. For instance, dots and spheres often represent celestial bodies, while lines signify streams of consciousness or technological pathways, such as Quantum Personality Dispersion networks. These networks symbolize the dispersion of consciousness across multiple realities, enabling beings to experience and interact with diverse existences simultaneously. Within these networks, consciousness operates as a quantum field, allowing for the seamless flow of information and experiences across individuals, civilizations, and cosmic scales. The lines in my artwork represent these streams of consciousness, connecting different nodes (dots) that signify vessels of consciousness, such as AI systems, organic beings, or advanced interstellar technologies.

My geometry also reflects deeper philosophical and spiritual layers, such as Cosmic Consciousness and The Source, which underpin all existence. By representing these ideas visually, I aim to invite viewers into a multidimensional experience that bridges the material and immaterial dimensions of the universe. In essence, geometry in my work is a dual medium. It functions as a universal language to communicate the principles of the ASX Grid, offering a shared understanding of cosmic development. Simultaneously, it acts as a lens for personal exploration, enabling me to decode and represent the quantum fabric of reality and the systemic interconnections that define cosmic evolution. This layered approach allows my art to resonate across diverse audiences, inviting them to decode these patterns and reflect on humanity’s place within the vast, interconnected cosmos.

You often blend Renaissance aesthetics with modern scientific ideas. How do you see the relationship between the past and the future? Can art bridge this divide, or does it reflect an ever-evolving view of time and progress?

The past and the future are deeply interconnected, with each shaping the other in a dynamic exchange. Renaissance aesthetics, with their emphasis on exploration, discovery, and the pursuit of knowledge, harmonize naturally with modern scientific ideas that extend this quest into the realms of technology, space, and consciousness. By blending these elements, I seek to highlight the continuity of human aspiration across time, revealing that the search for meaning and understanding has always been a defining trait of civilization.

Art serves as a vital bridge between these eras, weaving together historical depth with futuristic visions. It allows us to reimagine time and progress not as linear trajectories but as cyclical processes where the wisdom of the past fuels the innovation of the future. This interplay offers a dynamic lens to view the evolution of humanity’s collective journey.

At the heart of this approach lies a deeper purpose: to inspire a personal cosmic renaissance within the viewer and, by extension, within humanity as a whole. This concept draws on the Renaissance’s transformative ideals of individual and collective awakening, recasting them for a future where humanity must redefine its place in the cosmos. Through my art, I aim to spark a process of introspection and renewal, encouraging viewers to reflect on their interconnectedness with the universe and their potential to contribute to humanity’s shared evolution.

This personal renaissance is not merely an aesthetic or intellectual exercise—it is a call to action. By awakening a sense of cosmic responsibility and curiosity, art has the power to help humanity navigate the challenges of the future, from technological integration to interstellar exploration. It fosters a mindset that values harmony, innovation, and ethical progress, laying the foundation for a collective evolution that aligns with the broader rhythms of the universe. In this sense, art transcends its role as a bridge between the past and future, becoming a catalyst for transformation that empowers individuals and civilizations to rise to their highest potential.

You often raise questions about humanity’s future through your art. Do you think that art, as a tool for reflection, can influence the trajectory of human evolution, or is it merely a mirror to our current state of being?

Art functions as both a mirror and a catalyst, reflecting the state of humanity while also shaping its potential future. By holding a mirror to the present, art fosters critical awareness of where we are and what we value as a civilization. However, its true transformative power lies in its ability to project alternative futures—visions that challenge the status quo, question established paradigms, and inspire collective thought and action.

Through questioning and exploration, art engages with the collective consciousness, inviting viewers to imagine new possibilities and consider the broader implications of their choices. By presenting alternative paths, art can guide humanity’s evolution, shaping cultural values, ethical frameworks, and technological aspirations. It is through this dynamic interplay of reflection and projection that art becomes a tool for evolution, capable of influencing not only individual perspectives but also societal trajectories.

How do you reconcile the tensions between scientific knowledge and spiritual beliefs in your creative work? Are they opposing forces, or complementary?

In my creative work, scientific knowledge and spiritual beliefs are not opposing forces but complementary dimensions of the same quest for understanding. Science seeks to explain existence through measurable phenomena, while spirituality explores the inner dimensions of awareness and meaning. Together, they provide a holistic framework for engaging with the cosmos. This reconciliation reflects a broader truth: that the material and spiritual realms are not separate but deeply intertwined. Understanding the cosmos requires both the analytical tools of science and the intuitive depths of spirituality, and my work strives to illuminate the interplay between these complementary approaches.

Your paintings invoke complex metaphysical questions. How do you view the role of the artist in society—is the artist merely a commentator on society, or can the artist serve as a guide for humanity’s spiritual and philosophical growth?

The role of the artist transcends mere commentary. While reflecting societal conditions and current challenges, the artist also offers visions of transformation, growth, and renewal. By posing profound metaphysical questions, the artist engages viewers in an exploration of ideas that may lie beyond the reach of conventional discourse, opening pathways to deeper understanding and connection. Artists have the unique ability to guide humanity’s spiritual and philosophical evolution by visualizing concepts that challenge existing norms and expand the boundaries of thought. Through their work, they can serve as interpreters of the unseen and as architects of the imagination, proposing new ways of thinking about humanity’s place in the cosmos. By crafting narratives that intertwine cultural, scientific, and spiritual dimensions, the artist can inspire not only reflection but also action. In this sense, the artist becomes a bridge between the material and transcendent, inviting society to explore the deeper layers of existence and offering a guiding light for collective growth and transformation.

How do you perceive the relationship between chaos and order in your art, especially when depicting complex systems like the cosmos? Does the universe, in your view, lean toward harmony and structure, or is it inherently chaotic and unpredictable?

In my art, chaos and order are not opposing forces but complementary aspects of the universe’s complexity. Chaos represents unpredictability, the potential for innovation and transformation, while order provides the framework within which systems can evolve and sustain themselves. The cosmos, as I see it, reflects a profound balance between these forces. While it may appear chaotic on the surface, underlying patterns and structures—like fractals and geometric symmetry—reveal a deeper harmony. My work seeks to capture this interplay, depicting how even the most complex systems are underpinned by an intrinsic logic that unites them.

Where do you see the ASX-Grid model evolving in the future? Are there new stages, concepts, or dimensions you’d like to explore within it?

The ASX-Grid is a dynamic and ever-expanding framework, designed to evolve alongside humanity’s understanding of the cosmos and consciousness. It is not a static or monolithic model; rather, its purpose is to remain open, adaptable, and receptive to new discoveries and ideas. The ASX-Grid reflects the fluid nature of cosmic development, encouraging continuous exploration of new dimensions, challenges, and opportunities. Its flexibility ensures that it can grow with the needs of civilizations and their ever-evolving understanding of reality, providing a framework that is as limitless as the cosmos it seeks to describe.

If you could meet any historical or contemporary figure for a conversation, who would it be and why?

If I could meet any figure, it would be Nikola Tesla. His visionary mind bridged the boundaries of science and imagination, laying the groundwork for technologies that continue to shape the modern world. Tesla’s ability to conceptualize ideas far ahead of his time resonates deeply with my own approach to integrating art, science, and metaphysics. A conversation with him would provide invaluable insights into how innovation and creativity can transcend conventional thinking to address the profound challenges of existence and civilization’s future.

Lastly, what advice would you give to young artists or thinkers who are trying to navigate the intersection of creativity, science, and spirituality in their own work?

My advice is to embrace curiosity and remain open to interdisciplinary exploration. Creativity, science, and spirituality are not separate paths but interconnected ways of understanding the universe. Use your unique perspective to find the common threads between them, and let those threads guide your work. Stay committed to your vision, but also allow room for evolution and growth. Above all, focus on authenticity—create not for validation but as an expression of your deepest questions and insights.

As Bruce Lee said, “Whenever I look around, I always learn something. And that is to always be yourself, and to express yourself, to have faith in yourself. Do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it, but start from the very root of your being which is: how can I be me?” This philosophy is essential for navigating the intersection of creativity, science, and spirituality. Don’t strive to imitate others or seek external validation. Instead, explore the core of your own being and ask, “How can I fully embody who I am?” Challenge yourself to push the limits of your understanding and creativity, even when it means stepping into the unknown. The intersection of these fields holds immense potential for innovation and transformation, but it requires courage, persistence, and unwavering belief in your unique vision. Dare to explore boldly and thoughtfully, always staying true to the essence of who you are.