Zoepolis: Non-anthropocentric design as an experiment in multi-species care

Abstract

The paper provides an introductory discussion and a curatorial case study on design practice that contributes to a constitution of a human and nonhuman community as well as challenges and expands the notion of care to other species. It starts with an examination of existing approaches to design that take into consideration relations between humans and non-humans. Departing from a critique of discussed perspectives we then introduce a concept of zoepolis based on theories of Will Kymlicka and Sue Donaldson, Donna Haraway, Joanna Bednarek and Bruno Latour. In the second part of the article we discuss the exhibition “Zoepolis. Design for Plants and Animals” we have curated as an experiment in creating a multi-species community in which material environment and objects were seen as mediators between species and facilitators of cohabitation.