'Perhaps everything terrible is, in its deepest being, something that needs our love.' Rilke
Contents
Project description 08
Letter 4 34
Abstract 10
Letter 5 38
Era of a Man 12
Letter 6 46
Against narcissism and speciesism 14
Letter 7 48
Meeting the Other 16 Letter 1 22 Letter 2 24 Letter 3 26 Timeline fo the Postanthropocentric Shift 28
Letter 8 52 Letter 9 54 Letter 10 62 Reflection 64 Bibliography 66
Colophon Master Thesis Social Design 2016 Design Academy Eindhoven
Mentors: Aldo Bakker Jan Boelen Dick van Hoff Michael Kaethler Rianne Makkink Fabrizia Vecchione Henriette Waal Lichenologist advice: Laurens Sparrius Nastassja Noel Andre Aptroot Thank you: Ryszard Rychlicki Michael Kaethler Dick van Hoff Contact: ferenckarolina@gmail.com www.karolinaferenc.com
Project description This project is about a relationship between the human (represented by the author) and the non-human (represented by the lichen). ‘Lichen in Love’ questions our uniqueness as specie and imagines a possible shift to more inclusive and open towards non-humans mindset. A case study within the project is a lichen - symbiotic organism inhabiting natural as well as man-made surfaces. ‘Lichen in love’ is a speculative scenario where lichen isn’t approached as an object or commodity, but as a friend and a subject of fascination. A set of designed objects reflects an intimacy and blends the boundaries between two distant organisms. From a scientific balloon that escorts lichen to a safe place far away from humans, to an oxygenating mouthpiece, or a mirror that sheds light on this symbiotic life form. The objects are accompanied by a set of love letters showcasing a new and impassioned relationship with nonhuman.
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9
Abstract
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The urgency behind this project comes from the problems contextualized in the Anthropocene. Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen claims, that the Anthropocene is a period when ‘humans are becoming dominant force for change on Earth’, and where ‘we are taking control of Nature’s realm, from climate to DNA’. However, thanks to the science and technology it becomes evident, that this profound impact on the Earth put the lives of a number of species, including our own, under a great threat and humans’ ability to control these actions is rather fragile. Strangely enough, the Anthropocene - the Era of Man - become an evidence of humans’ limitations and weaknesses. In order to move beyond the anthropocentrism, societies have to recognize the creative agency of the non-human other - a tree, a plastic bag or even a weather, and that the systems of the humans and the non-humans are inseparable. Design as a humanoriented practise is an actor, which belongs to the Anthropocene. In order to address a complex issues of the Anthropocene, the design has to include the agencies of non-humans. Therefore, I decided to call my practise as a non-human centred design, which can be described as an active and imaginative way to empathize with non-humans, and as a critical
towards solutionism, scientism and masculinism, which doesn’t mean being against them. In order to connect with the non-humans, people need an emotional and an empathetic openness towards all beings; therefore, feelings of love play an important role in this project.. Love means to go beyond utilitarian and exploitative discourse around the non-humans. Love becomes a gesture of sincerity in recognizing oneself as one amongst many intimately attached species and objects, which are far beyond our control.
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The Era of a Man The Anthropocene is a geological epoch in which ‘human dominates biological, chemical and geological processes on
The Anthropocene is a man’ dream about an emancipation from the Nature.
Earth’ (Crutzen) and ‘climate scientists posit that the human being has become
However, the Anthropocene, its tech-
something much larger than the simple
nology and science, undoubtedly reveal
biological agent that he or she always
how tightly humans’ systems and the
has been. Humans now wield a geologi-
Earth’ systems are attached to each oth-
cal force’ instead of a mere biological
er. It means that there is no escape from
one (Chakrabarty). If officially recog-
consequences of our unthoughtfullness
nized, the Anthropocene would be the
towards the outside world. The dream
epoch we live now.
about the emancipation turns out to
The name, however, is often misunder-
be limiting and unfulfilled because it
stood as a signification of human domi-
excluded the non-humans. Instead of
nation over other forces. In fact, we can
searching for the emancipation, the
recognize humans as a geological force
humanity, perhaps, should search for
even when humans are not in control
an attachment with the non-humans.
of this force. Instead, the Anthropocene calls out the cause of ecological crisis we are in. Traditionally history is considered as an exclusively human affair. In the Anthropocene a non-human beings used to appear on the peripheries of a human-centred world - as a part of a landscape, as a food, as a symbol, as the Other. For Heidegger human beings, as opposed to non-humans as stones, plants or lichens, are unique in their ability to contribute being on things. This division between the humans and the non-humans, the emancipation from nature (Latour), resulted in growing feeling of alienation from the world, and not being at home.
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In the Post-anthropocene object-
nett states, we have to be aware of ‘the
oriented ontologists, actor network
capacity of things – edibles, commodi-
theorists and new materialists 1 argue,
ties, storms, metals – not only to im-
that the agency and creativity are not
pede or block the will and designs of
the property of humans only, and that
humans but also to act as quasi-agents
instead of building our world on divi-
or forces with trajectories, propensities,
sion between subject/object, human/
or tendencies of their own’. In the other
nature or culture/nature, we should
words, we should not ignore anymore
embrace our attachment to the world
the influence non-humans hold upon
and interconnection of human and
us, but instead try to include their agen-
non-human agencies. The boundary be-
tic capacities in our world view.
tween human and ‘natural’ world is an artificial one. There is no more ‘outside’
Is that makes you feel anxious and un-
to conquer and there is no ‘environ-
comfortable? Good, because it should!
ment’ or ‘nature’ suggested by liberal modernity and the Enlightenment. There is no more ‘away’ somewhere far over there, on the field or in the forest the opposition of what is a man-made. It sounds disturbing, because it means that there is no ideal place to escape which we love to fantasise about and which gives us peace of mind, because
1 - Ontology is the philosophical study of exist-
it’s stable and constant. Even the bound-
ence. Object-oriented ontology (“OOO” for short)
ary of the individual is liminal, porous
puts things at the center of this study. Its propo-
and amorphous, according to leading
nents contend that nothing has special status, but
writer about love/hate relationship be-
that everything exists equally—plumbers, cotton,
tween human and non-human, Donna
bonobos, DVD players, and sandstone, for example.
Haraway. There is no a clear distinction
In contemporary thought, things are usually taken
at which a single being begins or ends,
either as the aggregation of ever smaller bits
and that is why we are all lichens: a
(scientific naturalism) or as constructions of hu-
beings made up of multiple symbiotic
man behavior and society (social relativism). OOO
organisms (Haraway).
steers a path between the two, drawing attention to
Our bodies contain 50% human and
things at all scales (from atoms to alpacas, bits to
50% bacteria cells.
blinis), and pondering their nature and relations
As ecological philosopher Jane Ben-
with one another as much with ourselves. 13
Against narcissism and speciesism 1
‘If we have future, we will have decided to look after all sentient beings. This decision is not calculating or utilitarian. At its limit, it is love.’ 3
2
connections. (Quiet literal example - we share 50 % of our DNA with bananas, 60 % with fruit flies and 75 % with mice. 4 Does it make us feel more connected with those creatures?) Knowledge cre-
How, in a world full of anthropocentric
ated by these examples given by sci-
behaviours, philosophies and languag-
ence isn’t enough to truly encounter
es, can we establish an equal relation-
the Other. What Morton meant by ‘love
ship with the Other? How can we
non-humans’ is literally about emo-
respond to the Anthropocene without
tions, feelings we have towards a rock,
reinforcing the attitude of dominance
the Sun, a microwave or a bucket, just to
over the rest of the planet?
mention few. We don’t perceive them as
According to dark ecology philosopher
subjects with creative agency and that’s
Timothy Morton, the possible way
precisely why they are so alien to us. To
out would be to learn how to ‘love the
not love non-humans means to not love
non-human’ in their alien, sometimes
ourselves and our creations.
disturbing or disgusting being. That is the most ethical act. It means accepting world around us without manipulating it to fit our needs. It is about providing space for what we consider as the Other. In a similar way Bruno Latour explains that ‘we should love our monsters’. By this he means, that people have abandoned the technologies they created, they forgot to care about them. It can be seen as call for reunion of people, technologies and what we see as Nature. (Even though both, Morton and Latour argue that nature doesn’t exist, it’s an artificial concept). Perhaps, technology can serve as an active mediator between us and the Other. By personal, intimate encounters with other beings we are able to actively connect instead of only view these 14
Ecological crisis is partly due to societies
disappeared or their population is de-
and individuals not allowing non-
creasing. We can’t judge what it really
humans to participate in creating the
means for lichens, but it’s clear evidence
perceptions of a people as an actors. See-
of the Anthropocene. Similar events took
ing oneself through the eyes of animal
place in other parts of the world.
creatures, plants or inanimate objects
Even though lichens can develop ex-
is necessary for ethical interaction with
cellent protection against some nega-
the rest of the world. And it isn’t going to
tive impacts of the outside factors, for
be neither comfortable nor safe. Attune-
example production of pigments against
ment means facing and accepting that
UVB radiation, it seems that lichens in
we are ‘weak and lame’ 5 and apparently
the Anthropocene are facing problems
there is nothing wrong about it .
which are bigger than what they can
Since the beginning of biomonitoring
handle.
of the air quality with lichens it became evident how strongly humans’ activity impacts their biodiversity. One of the most extensive scientific research on this subject took place in the Netherlands between 1980-2010, where pollutions of both - CO2 and ammonia were extremely high. These events changed lichens’ flora dramatically. We can speak here about a completely new, man-made
1 - But if narcissism is how we relate to others, then
universe of lichens in polluted areas.
we should work towards something what Derrida
2
Another affecting aspect is the global
calls “welcoming, hospitable narcissism, one that
warming. Within the last century cli-
is much more open to the experience of the other
mate in the Netherlands has changed.
as other”
The average temperature, for example,
2 - Speciesism - the term itself was coined by Rich-
has increased by 1.7 °C and the annual
ard Ryder in 1970 in a pamphlet of the same name,
number of summery days increased by
but for the most part was popularized by Peter Sing-
nearly 20. Annual precipitation also has
er in his Animal Liberation. Speciesism is supposed
increased by about 20% and periods of
to be analogous to terms like racism and sexism
heavy rainfall have become much more
3 - T. Morton ‘The Ecological Thought’
frequent. In consequence new, tropical
4 - www.genome.gov/10005835
species appeared. Species sensitive to
5 - Morton
pollution and environmental changes
6 - Morton
3
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Meeting the Other The love affair between humans and lichens is one of the most underestimated and forgotten romances in human history.
a research tool. It seems like this love affair is far from being humble or even empathetic as the value of lichens is defined by their industrial and utilitarian potential.
People and lichens know each other
Since the beginning of biomonitoring
since centuries. However, this relation-
of the air quality with lichens it became
ship is based on exploitation and slavery.
evident how strongly humans’ activity
Even the name ‘Lichen’ comes from the
impacts their biodiversity. One of the
Greek word ‘Leprous’ and refers to the
most extensive scientific research on
use of some lichens for treating cutane-
this subject took place in the Nether-
ous diseases due to their peeling-skin
lands between 1980-2010, where pollu-
appearance. Lichens have been used
tions of both - CO2 and ammonia were
for many different purposes by people
extremely high. These events changed
around the world. They are most com-
lichens’ flora dramatically. We can
monly used for dye, medicine and food.
speak here about a completely new,
The lichen dye can be extracted by boil-
man-made universe of lichens in pol-
ing the lichen in water or by fermenting
luted areas. 2 Another affecting aspect
the lichen in ammonia. Traditionally
is the global warming. Within the last
urine was often used as an ammonia
century climate in the Netherlands has
source, and the lichen would be fer-
changed. The average temperature, for
mented for at least 2 to 3 weeks.
example, has increased by 1.7 °C and
Lichens contain unique compounds
the annual number of summery days
which can act as antibiotics, anti-
increased by nearly 20. Annual pre-
tumour agents, anti-inflammatories
cipitation also has increased by about
or sunscreens for people. The Apache
20% and periods of heavy rainfall have
and Gitksan were using lichens in their
become much more frequent. 3 In conse-
rituals.
quence new, tropical species appeared.
1
Since the Industrial Revolution due to
Species sensitive to pollution and envi-
high concentration of CO2 in the air
ronmental changes disappeared or their
many lichens’ communities disap-
population is decreasing. We can’t judge
peared or became extinct. This fact
what it really means for lichens, but it’s
suggests scientist, that lichens can be
clear evidence of the Anthropocene.
utilizing as air biomonitors seeing as
Similar events took place in other parts
some of them are very sensitive to pol-
of the world.
lution. Since then lichens have become 16
Even though lichens can develop excellent protection against some negative impacts of the outside factors, for example production of pigments against UVB radiation, it seems that lichens in the Anthropocene are facing problems which are bigger than what they can handle.
Lichens can be misunderstand as representation of ‘nature’ in context of this project, if fact, lichens represent here only one among many nonhuman agents we are coexisting with. Lichens here represent life. This project does not seek to protect nature. The concept of nature is an artificial creation of humans and reinforces human/rest of the world divisions, therefore it is not present in the Post-anthropocentric narratives. However, what we understand as ‘nature’ is in fact an extraordinary biodiversity of life, which requires our respect and esteem. 1 - Irwin M. Brodo, Sylvia Duran Sharnoff, and Stephen Sharnoff, ‘Lichens of North America’, Yale University Press 2 - Andre Aptroot, Norbert J. Stapper, Alica Kosuthova , Marcela E.S. Caceres ‘Climate Change: Observed Impacts on Planet Earth’, Elsevier, 2016, pp. 295–307 3 - PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency ‘The effects of Climate Changein the Netherlands: 2012, http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/theeffects-of-climate-change-in-the-netherlands-2012
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Love Letters
In the Love Letters you’re about to read I propose design ideas for lichens. Letters are the mixture of scientific facts, fiction and genuine affection. Letters are organized around a Timeline for the Postanthropocentric Shift. The Timeline consists of the 3 Transitions; each Transition has a short description and a series of letters. It’s time to fully immerse yourself in a deep feelings of empathy and love !
Dear, You live everywhere, even where a human cannot. You were here long before us and you will undoubtedly strive in our cities when we are gone. People were so proud of you when you came back alive from outer space in June 2012! You survived electromagnetic and cosmic radiation, a space vacuum and extreme temperatures giving the evidence, that life can travel from planet to planet on meteors and asteroids.1 In the same time people have developed special machines and techniques to remove any possible signs of your presence on their architecture and monuments. They rigorously, with precision treat their roofs and walls with chemicals and tools to eject unintended inhabitants. Architectural entities we claim, have to function but not be alive! Until recently, lichens were the only example of interliving that science was generally aware of. But lichens were regarded as an oddity; you were called 'the trash of the vegetable world'. What is going on between humans and lichens species is the classic love-hate relationship, like between children and parents or between siblings. Every emotionally engaged relationship is a fusion of tenderness, sadness, joy, melancholy and even horror.2 Realizing that we love you means accepting your presence. Your activity and liveliness is not tangible nor accessible to our 22
senses, but we have data standing for you. We can also use our bodies and senses like sight, in perceiving your lichen being : 'Looking as means of attachment (...) Looking, by means of humble contemplation, allows us to enter into a dimension shared with plants. Once there, we do not willingly part with each other. Regression, through means that predate the division between voluntary and involuntary nervous systems, might appear backward to some. But for the sensory apparatus, with its exceptional sensitivity and resilience to heat, humidity, and energy conversion, looking at plants is a quiet pleasure, a fragile conviction - it provides sufficient reason for living in a corrupted world.' 3
By sharing your vegetative state and observing your fragile yet enormous strength I can enter a new mindset going beyond production-oriented contact with nature. To see your reaction on water, sun or wind, makes you very alive to me. I do not need your presence in order to give me a food or health, I need you around to feel that I'm still alive and that I absorb, store energy, move on the wind just like you and therefore - I am life.
Letter 01 1 - Joseph Stromberg, ‘What Is the Anthropocene and Are We in It?’, Smithsonian Mag 2 - Andre Aptroot, Norbert J. Stapper, Alica Kosuthova , Marcela E.S. Caceres ‘Climate Change: Observed Impacts on Planet Earth’, Elsevier, 2016, pp. 295–307. 3- Timothy Morton, ‘Hyperobjects. Philosophy and Ecology after the End of the World’, Minnesota Press 2013 23
My Dear, It was strange to suddenly find out that you are not an individual but fungus and algae interweaved in one - a symbiosis.
You told me the other day, that because of ammonia pollution in the air, being a side effect of intense agriculture and catalytic converters in petrol cars, you two started to fight. It was taking too much energy to fix all the damages caused by ammonia which your body limitlessly absorbs. 1 The algae was madly photosynthesizing to provide enough energy to repair your sensitive mutual body, but because of that, the fungus was hungry and weak. He was still trying to protect you from a direct sun and provide you in a stable environment, but he was too exhausted and at some point he left. Perhaps he found the other algae. So you do not exist anymore... Later researchers announced that it was mass divorcing machine, that ammonia thing. Millions of lichens were forced to stop their symbiotic existence. Only alga and fungi living in more open relationships survived. When the algae partners were occupied with photosynthesis, the fungus could find another algae to live with. The old algae and the new one usually accepted each other. I know that your fungus would never do that... Sometimes the algae could invite the 24
cyanobacteria to share habitat and to help with the energy production. People were not interested in your story because, unlike trees or edible plants, they cannot use you for their own purposes in industrial ways. In order for this story to be heard, people have to understand that your qualities are going beyond profitability. These days some people are trying to support broken lichens like you.
They miss you and want you to come back to their neighbourhood. They miss your moist body, its dynamic colours and liveliness, even though they cannot perceive any of your moves or actions. People studied long to understand your needs and requirements , and now they want to provide you right conditions to live with them in the cities. Neither because of your beauty nor to extract something usable from you, but because they are curious and open to You - this reciprocal body, which can explain them about coexisting and mixing different species agencies. Perhaps soon we meet again.
Letter 02 1 -Thomas H. Nash ‘Lichen Biology’ (2nd edition), Cambridge University Press. pp. 299–314.Ineke H. Beltman, Luit J. de Kok, Pieter J. C. Kuiper and Philip R. van Hasselt ‘Fatty Acid Composition and Chlorophyll Content of Epiphytic Lichens and a Possible Relation to Their Sensitivity to Air Pollution’ Oikos, Vol. 35, No. 3, pp. 321-326’
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Dear Urban Lichen, I reach a state in which I see you everywhere... I look through my window facing the north and I see your colonies on the slope of the neighbouring roof. On the opposite side of the street I notice blueish patches on the pavement around the street lamp often mistaken for the chewing gum; it's you, Lecanora Muralis. My eyes drift to nearby garden. You're there on the concrete kerb. I'm moving to balcony door on the other side of my apartment and looking at my terrace. Since I moved in I keep it wild, so it became a home for so many creatures. It was spotlessly clean before. First I'm noticing tiny golden coins on the floor tiles, later also white ones - Xanthoria and Lecanora. Below the pavement tiles lays a massive (in your scale) lake so it's always humid down there. Moss sticks out from between the tiles. My wooden outdoor table is under your colonisation as well. It's not bothering me at all. When I leave home the first thing I'm passing by is a tiny tree covered with your green bodies. It's lovely how the colour green is a reaction to water - your body becomes more transparent thus green cells of algae become more visible. I meet my neighbour - guy with lichens of the roof - I'm asking him about your presence on his property; he's reacting with a sort of an embarrassment. He doesn't know why I'm even 26
asking about it, but he is immediately explaining that yes, it looks way better on the other neighbours' roof, because it's so clean there. I keep moving towards small park. All plants there are perfectly shaped apart from tall, old trees. They are too powerful to be forced to bow.
I know that urban plants in the park are the part of an imagined and constructed world people called 'nature' - in facts this world is created to please them. People unconsciously made cities inhabitable for the others. Some non-humans don't know any other life apart of that in the city; they are urban inhabitants like people. But humans keep ignoring the fact that they are not alone. They accept only those species which they find attractive or usable in whatever the way. Later they are taming and manipulating these non-humans to fit human needs, making reality hermetically quiet and taking away an experience of the richness of biodiversity. Humans tend to simplify the reality in order to understand and control it so we they relax. But the world around is quiet the opposite - it's saturated with beauty and order as well as with the ugliness and unpredictability. It's easy to control with force and cruelty, though much more challenging to face it and
and be open up for uncertain, strange or disgusting.
Letter 03
People cannot control you nor transform you in a product, you are way more challenging than that.
1 -I’m referring here to Caspar David Friedrich’ ‘Wanderer above the sea of fog’ and the Dark Ecology interview with Tim Morton; www.darkecology.net/field-notes/dark-ecology-interview-tim-morton 27
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Vibrant
1st Transition 2017
Lichenized Machines
ANTHROPOCENE
Timeline for Post-anthropocentric Shift
29
POST-ANTHROPOCENE
3rd Transition 2057
Collective Sensitivity
2nd Transition 2037
Bodies
Lichenized Machines
Hopefully by now the reader feels the urge to give something back to lichens. Good news - we’re there! The 1st Transition for the post-anthropocentric Shift is represented with 2 objects designed for lichens - Lichenized Scientific Balloon and Protective Glass. Even though design in the 1st Transition is dedicated to non-human, it’s still deeply rooted in the Anthropocene. Of course designing for non-humans is postanthropocentric in its concept, yet the design process and the outcome follow instrumental reason, which belongs to an anthropocentric worldview. It is a paradox of designing in the Anthropocene for the Post-anthropocene. The attempt to identify and ‘solve’ problems troubling non-humans is doomed to fail, because it follows the human’s vision of what the non-humans needs and problems are. However, this step in the project is necessary in order to understand the weakness and limitations of the humans in approaching the Other and to evoke humility towards the uncanniness of non-humans. The visual language used for objects in the 1st Transition is familiar. It mimics scientific and technical artefacts; therefore, one can easily understands their functionality and purpose. Like Love, the first days/months are usually the most spectacular and intense, when control and reason are thrown to the wind.
Dear Xanthoria, I have already mentioned before about lichens' journey to the outer space.1 Well, it's an absurd that for some of your mates the pollution produced by the people are more harmful then the extreme conditions in the outer space.
For humans like me it's beautiful and exciting to picture you in the outer space. In my world, travel to the outer space is a fulfilment of humans' dream about greatness and freedom. How was it for you? Clearly I cannot know it, but you lichenomorphized me enough already to be able to imagine it. In my own human way I perceive and try to understand you. I'm observing you just to realise that my perception is limited and poor. But I've been thinking ... You cannot escape to another spot when conditions around become unfavourable nor hide. You aren't a traveller. You quietly conquer new lands but then this is it. You cannot avoid being exposed to harmful pollution nor hide. There are some of us who are developing a different consciousness, we are starting to think of a ways that would enable you to escape from our destructive force. So here is my idea - I'm constructing a vehicle for you. You would be able to fly as high as 30 kilometres to avoid 34
deadly pollution or the people removing you from their architecture. It's not forever, just to wait out and come back to the Earth in a different place and time which is more beneficial for you. You would hibernate up there, but after coming back to the Earth your body would come back to life. Now the best part - at least from my perspective - this vehicle is a helium balloon. I call it a Lichenized Scientific Balloon. Conventionally people are using this type of balloons for scientific research in the stratosphere like collecting the data about the weather. It can pick you up from the ground thanks to 3 movable shovels. Once the shovels are closed, providing you in a safe enclosed space, the travel begins! The balloon will slowly go up and grow, because of the pressure and temperature. Since you and the mechanism attached to the balloon is lightweight, the balloon can soar up high and stay there for longer period of time. At some point the balloon will burst. Thanks to attached parachute you will safely fly back to Earth. I approach you in a very human manner - I give you an opportunity to escape from the problem you're in.
1 - www.newscientist.com/article/dn8297-hardy-lichenshown-to-survive-in-space/
Letter 04
Xanthoria Parietina
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Lichenized Scie
entific Balloon
Dear Cladonia, Ozone molecules, made up of three atoms of oxygen, comprise a thin layer of the atmosphere that protects life on Earth from the harmful effects of the solar ultraviolet radiation. The formation of an ozone layer is believed to have been of fundamental importance in allowing evolution of terrestrial forms of life.1
An ozone hole. You know it well. You need sun for photosynthesis. Together with sun, your photobiont absorb UVB radiation which might damage your body. Only some of your species contain a special protective pigment. My human skin produces special pigment called melanin to protect against sunburns caused by UVB radiation. But these days, mainly due to the ozone depletion, people need special protection like artificial sunscreens. Increased exposure to UVB radiation is affecting both humans and lichens. People found effective ways of protection. In your case it's more complicated. In order to protect your cells from harmful radiation you have to produce special pigment and it's excellent protection, but it cost you a lot of energy and not all of you are protected.2 Surely you're organism is strong but it's also very sensitive and dramatically reacting on climate fluctuations. In humans' world the discussion around this topic is guided by the industrial 38
potential of your sunscreen pigments to protect people.3 Anthropocene in its exemplary form! However, Post-anthropocene oriented people recognized their contribution in the ozone depletion and its consequences on the others. These people don't research anymore your industrial potential. Some researchers at the very beginning of post-anthropocentric thought become interested in developing a products for you. Since you cannot change your position nor hide from harmful radiation, I thought about using man-made technologies in order to give you a support. I created these delicate structures which work as sunscreens for lichens. It blocks UVB radiation. I can place it above you so the radiation cannot reach your body. The glass is movable and can be adjusted according to the position of the sun. Humans use this kind of structures for protection against sun rain or wind. How do you feel about it? I just madly want to take care of you... 1 - Caldwell, MM, ‘Plant life and ultraviolet radiation: some perspective in the history of the earth’s UV climate’ BioScience, 29 2 - K. A. Solhaug, Y. Gauslaa, L. Nybakken, W. Bilger, ‘UVinduction of sun-screening pigments in lichens’ 3 - Rancan F, Rosan S, Boehm K, Fernández E, Hidalgo M.E, Quihot W, Rubio C, Boehm F, Piazena H, Oltmanns U
Letter 05
Cladonia Fimbriata
39
Protectiv
ve Glass
Vibrant Bodies
The 2nd Transition is about going beyond the instrumental reasoning and trying to establish a relationship with non-humans with the help of the body. Our bodies are embedded in the world, they have a material presence and therefore serve as a connector with the world. ‘Body connections come first - understanding follows.’(de Waal) This action is more of attuning to the ‘messy’ world outside rather than controlling it. Therefore, these objects are expressing rather humble attitudes of humans. Like love, we put aside our prejudices and fears and courageously enter into a new physical intimate experiences.
My Dearest, People keep asking me what we need you for anyway? Aren't you harmful or toxic? It's not easy question to answer because in order to understand it people need particular mindset. Having you around it's like being in the forest - it's moist and the air is like a crystal, one can almost taste its flavour. You are like little forest, you constitute life. Does city can contain a forest? Oscar Wilde represented by Vivian in his 'The decay of lying' had an interesting argument against it 'if nature had been comfortable, mankind would never have invented architecture and I prefer houses to the open air. In a house we all feel of the proper proportions. Everything is subordinated to us, fashioned for our use and our pleasure. Egotism itself, which is so necessary to a proper sense of human dignity is entirely the result of indoor life. Out of doors one becomes abstract and impersonal.'
That's the masterpiece of anthropocentric thought, my Dear! In a way, what I'm trying to do is a pragmatic urgency. If people want to go on with living in the post-human world, renegotiation of 'nature' is a matter of necessity. Perhaps it means facing not only light but also a dark, uncomfortable side of 'nature'; 46
the one which Oscar Wilde hated so much. This lack of comfort is coming from the fact that people don't understand 'nature' and at some point they created fake image of 'nature' so it can fits their needs. Instead of keep trying to understand by means of rational brain, humans might envision the future directed by empathy; without hierarchy of species and things. So, the question isn't anymore whether city can contains a forest - it has to. Symbiotic living is not a choice. Symbiosis is about intentions - constructing, designing and thinking about place humans live in as a collective inter-species space. It's not about conquering anymore, people already conquered everything. It's much more thriving and joyful to observe, listening and asking questions. It's also about accepting that people cannot understand everything about the Other. Your agency is to grow on man-made architecture and to photosynthesize, absorb water and minerals or to fix nitrogen. It's not the case whether it's convenient for humans or not.
1 - Oscar Wilde ‘Decay of lying and other essays’, Penguin Books Limited, 1 Apr 2010
47
Letter 06
My Sweet, I have something for you ... I'm standing with outstretched arms where you are around. At first glance it looks strange what I'm doing. I'm holding mirrors, they subtly reflect light and point it on you. Do you understand what's happening? Light I'm reflecting is a different from the one you got used to. Your body is trying to accommodate to harmful anthropogenic light and I'm also trying to adapt myself to support you. My mirror doesn't reflect UVB radiation and therefore it doesn't damage your body. It requires me to stand in certain position for sometime and being focused to control the mirror and reflected light. I have to train new gestures and arrangements of my body. It's fun! Perhaps it can become a group activity for people. Imagine all these people trying to follow the sunlight and direct it on you. My body and the mirrors are actors here. It's the exercise of an early Post-anthropocene Man.
The mirror tells a story of relation between human, the Anthropocene, ozone depletion and lichen. My object is a representation of a caring attitude and willingness to adjust myself to you.
48
49
Letter 07
Photosythe
esis Mirror
Lobaria, My Love, I'd like to tell you a story from the future. I think you might be interested in that since it's about you. We're in the humid and warm place. I'm feeding you with my breath. No one around is surprised with that.
We're in the middle of an old forest, my favourite place. Everything around us is buzzing. It's the only place in the world where I can feel this way. It's hard to describe it but I'm sure you understand what I'm talking about. You might be two hundred years old or more and your body isn't getting older. How amazing is that! I wish to take you home, but I know I can't do that. I wouldn't do that to you. Your place is there, no matter how much I want you next to me. This specific place, the old forest, is your home. I respect that. You can strive there undisturbed. I can't even remember how many other species of lichens I met on the way here. You would never experience something like that in the city; maybe in a very, very old one. I'm eating you with my eyes. There are so many details of your presence that I want to observe. I can't stop watching. Firstly, the colour - majestic green, rich and deep. I'm noticing fruiting bodies of your fungi symbiont, dark brown lobes; I'm touching them. They are firm and flexible. There are kind of a web-like 52
ripples on the surface of your body that make you look a bit leafy. The bottom surface where the ripples are concave is covered in light and dark patches. I think I know where the inspiration for camouflage came from. It's superb that most of the trees around are inhabited with your mates. Do you enjoy it too? The Anthropocene lichens were greatly affected by humans activity in the past. At some point many of them disappeared. People were happy when some of them came back. In the Post-anthropocene people would start to recognize the influence of non-human agencies and that our trajectories are sometimes crossing or standing against each other. In case of conflict of interests violence seems to be inevitable. However, part of postanthropocentric thinking together with other species, requires minimizing or withholding the violence. That's why I imagine lichen's future without disturbances from humans. In this sense, post-anthropocentric thinking is also post-masculinist It's courage to let things go and face uncertainty of that which we cannot control.
Letter 08
Lobaria Pulmonaria
photo: jacinta lluch valero
53
My Dearest, The story I wrote you before inspired my creation. I have to admit, it was very sensual to picture the act of breathing on you. It stimulates my imagination about the ways to establish an intimacy. We have this expression in polish language - 'chuchac' - to explain the act of breathing on something/ someone. But 'chuchac' has a double meaning and it can also expresses the act of taking care of someone with great commitment.
Humans are these creatures who need artefacts in order to take actions, therefore I made a tool enabling people to direct their breath on you. It's transparent, so the person can see you while performing - humans like to see things to understand them. The first end of the tube has to be placed in a mouth. The person cannot close his/ her mouth, so exhaled air is coming straight from the lungs, therefore, it's still warm and moist, exactly as you like it. The second end of the tube is finished with a flexible and delicate rubber to tightly fit the surface you grow on. My breath is composed from nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and other gases. Nitrogen and carbon dioxide are necessary for your survival. I researched about breathing techniques 54
- when humans breathe fast they exhale more CO2.1 You need CO2 in order to produce energy through the photosynthesis. Portion of humid and warm breath, is it satisfying? It's so beautiful to link the products of my body with your needs. It stimulates reflective thinking about the relationship between human's body, the environment and other creatures. I'm looking forward to seeing the development of my specie in terms of adjusting to yours.
1 - Valerie C Scanlon, Tina Sanders, ‘Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology’, F.A. Davis, 25 Nov 2014
55
Letter 09
Breathin
ng Tube
Collective Sensitivity
The 3rd Transition is about sharing our ‘man-made’ world with nonhumans. At this point people don’t question the position of the Other; it is an obvious part of a shared reality. There is no subject-object relationship, when one sees the world from one’s eyes alone, but also through the lenses of all species. Human wouldn’t exist without lichen constant labour on soil formation and nitrogen or carbon dioxide fixing. Lichens may not have intended to enable humans to strive, nevertheless they are crucial actants in our existence. The discussion about lichens as ‘friends’ or ‘enemies’ isn’t the case, because there is no division between ‘us’ and ‘them’. Therefore, the attunement between humans and lichens is embedded in the ‘man-made’ environment. Like love, once the rush of first love has passed, reality sets in and it is only then, when it can be considered mature.
My Beautifulest, Sometime ago I wrote about my embarrassed with your presence on his roof neighbour. I feel like it was centuries ago. So many things have changed, I'm not sure even where to start. Well, let's begin with the city. Kind of a forbidden area for the anthropocene lichen. These days it's different. Nobody is even asking anymore Why? Where? Is it good for people? The city is covered with textures and objects allowing you to strive. It's neither to serves humans nor to entertain them or to change someone's mindset. It's explicitly for you. (Perhaps also for other non-humans). The attunement is embedded in the man-made. You thought me that every lichen embodies her environment. In the other words - the way your body is shaped or coloured reflects a place which you inhabits.
If I'm patient enough to observe and listen you will share with me your story. You can't embrace me but listening to your story is even a greater pleasure. It's fulfilling. I want non-humans around to shape me as they shape you. This my last letter, at least for now. I know that continuation will come soon. This is just the end of one story and I have many more to tell. But we're almost there, in the Post-anthropocene. The future seems to be emotional and 62
humble; therefore attuned with the non-human beings. I'm with you with all my heart, my body and my breath.
With love, Karolina
63
Letter 10
Reflection It is becoming evident, mainly thanks
It was safe and comfortable to observe
to the science and technology, that
the world from above. However it’s
there is no an ‘outside’ which people
a fiction, since we know that people
can dominate. People, objects, organ-
are always involved, enmeshed in life
isms or even weather are all enmeshed.
around us.
All these actors create assemblages of actions. The Anthropocene is case
The difficulty of this project lies in
of this project serves as a point of
the uncertainty and strangeness of
departure to imagine the future of
non-humans. People have to open up
coexistence between humans and
to this notion in order to understand
non-humans. Even if the Anthropo-
the project correctly. A story about
cene won’t be officially recognized as
us as lichens (as symbiotic beings) in
a new geological period of the Earth,
this project stands for our undeniable
anthropocentric narrations provide
biological, physical, mental and emo-
creative thinkers in a firm foundation
tional connection with non-humans.
for addressing a new scenarios regard-
Addressed on an almost intimate level
ing our responsibility for the world.
story immediately exposes how en-
Even though unofficially we live in the
meshed humans and non-humans are.
Anthropocene - The Era of Man - the
Lichens are metaphorically a repre-
ethical discourse around this subject
sentation of the symbiosis between
is often already post-anthropocentric,
all things and a representation of the
as indicated earlier with theories
Other at the same time.
like OOO, ANT and new materialism. These don’t consider humans as dominant species and place them in between the others rather than above. However, within all of these theories it is clear that humans as species have the capability to make a change in the
Design as we know it till now is anthropocentric, it’s a representation of a man-made. Not only because it’s human-centred, but also because it assumes that it can solve complex problems.
biological or geological processes that they are part of. Of course we are not
The next step, also in terms of this
the only ones who can make such a
project, would be a design which goes
difference nor can we control it, but we
beyond human/non-human divisions.
have a storytelling and imagination to
The outcome of the project (especially
envision this difference and use that to
the 1st and 2nd Transition) is rooted in
influence our future steps.
the Anthropocene, yet it is driven by
64
put oneself in the Other’s shoes. The
different perspective; a perspective of
term Empathy comes from German
moist and complex lichen creatures - a
word Einfühlung - ‘feeling into’. It’s a
lovely monsters.
movement of projecting oneself into another. With love. Swedish psychologist Ulf Dimberg demonstrated that we don’t decide to be empathetic - we simply are. As such the thesis integrates Love Letters. Addressing issues related to the Anthropocene on the emotional
Design in this sense seeks to embrace life instead of generating life. It doesn’t ‘produce’ a future, that is ahead, it rather emphasizes a future which is ‘outside’ - post-rational, emotional and embodied.
level is necessary in the context of this project. It means going beyond the utility and functionality. The 3rd Transition aims to go step further and imagine an attunement with the Other. It isn’t about us, about our perception of things and their meaningfulness. It’s about lichens.
All 3 Transitions are just the beginning. Next steps should go as far as the next 1000 years. The Anthropocene is a serious matter. A body of work has to be done in order to make people reflect on their narcissistic self-interest and self-comfort, and to prepare them to take a profound steps. The intension of this work is to shake up the society while reestablishing their sense of attachment in and to the world - to think and act responsibly. Post-anthropocentric design for non-humans enables us to look at our culture and ourselves from a radically 65
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