SEARCHING FOR IMMORTALITY
寻觅不朽
Type: Generative Design, Editorial Design, Narrative Writing
Year: 2022
The project is a workshop project about imagining the last 24 hours of the planet from the perspective of a non-human creature. In the era of the Anthropocene, a range of human actions have had many negative effects on the environment in which we live.
The project draws on and incorporates a hybrid design thinking strategy via a narrative technique from more-than-human theories, Speculative Fabulation, and Cyberpunk. It also employs a range of interdisciplinary knowledge, such as artistic research, bio-inspired data-driven narratives, and generative design. Then finally combines them in an open access
digital publication.
It aims to challenge and interrogate anthropocentric mindsets, calling us to reshape the relationship between humans and nature through a non-anthropocentric vision for a better future.
Format:
Collaborative online magazine Video
[Group Project]
Collaborator: Interspecifics
Roles: Designer (1/3)
The story takes place in a world 500 years after the present day, heavily contaminated by nuclear radiation.
It is about the advances in medicine, and humankind has gained the ability to regenerate. However, this has led to a desire for pleasure and forgetfulness of the environment. The overuse of energy and nuclear technology has deteriorated the planet. Even the [1]Salapanio, which had the power of regeneration, became extinct. The disappearance of the lastSalapanio brought an awakening to humanity. The story ends with an open-ended conclusion that leaves space for reflection.
Through this story, we hope to show that having the technology to live forever is not a panacea. The focus remains on protecting the environment; otherwise, there will no longer be a place for even immortality.
The title ‘Searching for Immortality’ has a double meaning. It refers to humans who have gained physical immortality and the contemplation of the desire to attain true Immortality.
[1]. We used Salamander, Bipalium kewense, and Danio rerio as inspiration to create a hybrid animal——Salapanio. This creature has a superb ability
to regenerate.
TRAILER VIDEO
We gathered a series of visual elements based on the final story, some of which we made ourselves and some video footage. The final product is this 30s video, like a trailer for a sci-fi disaster film, full of suspense and urgency.