The Ecological Glitch
started with the pressing aspect of the global biodiversity crises that humans endanger one in five plant species worldwide. Using my garden as a case study, this auto-theoretical thesis investigates why I overlook and devalue plants and how plant-human relationships can be challenged.
My lack of care for plants is imbedded in a human-centric belief that humans are not animals, but a superior species. It is reinforced by the binary concept of Nature versus Culture. Fundamental differences between plants and animals make identifi- cation and empathy difficult. I push plants into roles and use cases. Neither science nor educational institutions challenge my dominant perception, but reinforce separation, categori- zation, and oppression. Instead of looking at core parts of plants such as leaves and roots, I get distracted by the plant's reproductive organ - the flower. Looking at plants through a queer, feminist, and philosophical lens piques my interest. My relationship with plants is unexpectedly political, as I found parallels in other oppressive structures. Dualisms within gender, race, ableism, or class are also based on exclusion and control. Instead of feminizing Nature and emphasizing the female closeness to Nature, this concept must be dissolved in order to liberate any gender of their normative roles. Respectful interactions with the vegetal realm are collaborative. What I learn from plants is the valuation of hybridity, dysfunction, gender fluidity, non-normativity, and radical interdependence. Plants are queer, though their representation has to be queered to disrupt normativity. As a designer, it's my responsibility to replace these patterns.
THE ECOLOGICAL GLITCH: FIELD GUIDE INTO QUEER ECOLOGIES
Master Thesis M.A. Information Design 2022, Design Academy Eindhoven
Tutors: Joost Grootens, Simon Davies, Gert Staal, Irene Stracuzzi, Dimitri Jeannotat
Contributions: Margret Grebowicz, Eden Kinkaid, Neeraj Tiwari, Janina Höllrigl Jonathan Meares
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