Interspecies poetics: intelligent biointerfaces for non-human networks.

• Grant number: 23/10966-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Linguistics, Literature and Arts - Arts - Plastic Arts
• Principal Investigator: Cesar Augusto Baio Santos
• Grantee: Cesar Augusto Baio Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Artes (IA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Lucy Hermes Griesbach Solomon

Abstract

This project aims to consolidate an interspecies poetics through the installation of two works that provide a sensitive experience of the presence, encounter and communication with species radically different from humans. The poetics proposed here is established based on a sensitive network between fungi, AI and human beings, aiming to trigger questions and generate new understandings about the existential recognition (respect for life and modes of intelligence) of forms of life radically different from human life. . The research is in the field of art, but establishes interfaces with the areas of computing, biology and sociology. The project involves fundamental bibliographical research guided by areas such as: criticism of modern anthropocentrism, as established by authors Donna Haraway, Eduardo Kohn, Anna Tsing and Viveiros de Castro; the philosophy of technological media, based on the readings of philosophers and theorists such as Vilém Flusser, Arlindo Machado, Gilbert Simondon; the field of contemporary art, based on references from artists such as Eduardo Kac, Guto Nobrega and Natalie Jeremijenko. The project seeks to consolidate poetic research that has been ongoing in recent years through experimental practices in the field of biohybrid art - in which works integrate computational systems and living organisms. Artistic experiments will be carried out that explore the poetic power of interspecies communication networks, capable of integrating human and non-human entities, and living and synthetic organisms. Among the challenges of the project is the creation of interfaces between living microorganisms (mycelium) and computers, based on learning networks trained with electrical signaling data from living microorganisms. Proposing the creation of poetic experiences that can insert the subject into a communication network between human and non-human beings, this research seeks to reimagine the relationships between man, technique and nature from a non-anthropocentric perspective and rethink the role of art as a producer of futures possible in the face of the climate crisis. As a result, it is expected: a) the consolidation of existing collaborations with California State University San Marcos, and the establishment of new collaborations within and outside Unicamp, ranging from the Institute of Biology to the University of California Irvine; b) the offer of subjects related to the theme in undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the Institute of Arts; c) the creation of two original works of art; e) the publication of a book, articles and participation in academic and artistic events; f) improving research conditions in the field of biohybrid art at Unicamp, based on the strengthening of ACTlab - Laboratory of Art, Science, Technology and Emerging Media of the Institute of Arts. (AU)