For Hypertopia, an exhibition and decentralized program in Berlin, STATE Studio collaborated with One Resilient Earth for a field exploration around the thought-provoking work of Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg, ‘Designing for the sixth extinction’.
STATE Studio is a Berlin-based initiative that builds cultural programs at the intersection of science, art, and society to help forward ideas for a sustainable future. Hypertopia was conceived as a ‘bridge between today and tomorrow’. Powered by the vision of a collective change in consciousness, the interdisciplinary program and exhibition anticipated a post-crisis future to explore approaches for a meaningful present. With a selection of artistic positions, propositions and exploratory projects that incorporate scientific methods as well as speculative modes of thought, Hypertopia challenged hierarchies, probed ideas, and imagined scenarios for a new planetary optimism.
One Resilient Earth was invited to contribute to the field exploration around the work of Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg titled Designing for the sixth extinction. This work investigates synthetic biology’s potential impact on biodiversity and conservation by imagining the relase of synthetic fungus, bacteria, invertebrates and mammals into the wild to support endangered natural species and ecosystems – an act that raises ethical questions. What would the ‘wilds’ look like in a synthetic biological future? Can we ‘preserve’ by looking forward? If nature is totally industrialized for the benefit of society, will nature still exist for us to save?
We participated in the field exploration through a video in which we anchored the sixth extinction not in a distant future to be designed but in a tangible and deeply felt present. We also paid tribute to Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge systems and practices in offering proven ways of restoring and regenerating ecosystems, and mentioned the potential of regenerative economics. But most importantly, we asked questions: how does a synthetic Earth feel to you? how do you feel about respecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights to the land, and about learning from them to start restoring the health of your ecosystem, community and of your own body today? what is the future you choose and work towards every day?
