LET US ROT: Understanding Death Through Multispecies and Creative Collaboration

Abstract

As a society we have become very uncomfortable, repulsed by and scared of all matters of decay, despite its inevitability in the shadow of all life. In rejecting death and the natural processes of decomposition we are more likely to participate in environmentally destructive habits that ignore our interconnectedness with other than human kin. It is often through spiritual belief systems and personal connection to land that perspectives of environmental ethics take shape. In the most physical sense, death and rot are incredibly fertile stages of life for various species and showcase the natural recycling process that takes place within our habitats. In an effort to challenge anthropocentric narratives around death, this portfolio explores the question; what can we learn about death and decomposition by communing with other species and organic material as an art practice? This project was achieved through the method of research-creation, emphasizing the process of experimentation by creating data, as opposed to extracting it. Working actively with natural materials and visual themes of decay, this series of mixed-media artworks acted as a meditation on death. Infused with personal experiences of heartbreak and loss, this project establishes itself as an example of creative collaboration with the natural world as an emotional processing tool. This work rejects comfort in the known and through surrendering to the relationships created between material and creator, brings forth reflections and insights on death as a necessary precursor to all life.