Symbiosis

Inspired by the work of science historian and philosopher Donna Haraway, author of A Cyborg Manifesto, this virtual reality experience for multiple users and multiple senses transports you to about 200 years in the future. On the ruins of the Anthropocene, humanity has made way for a rich biotope teeming with mixed life-forms: human, animal, machine hybrids; artificially created biochemical life-forms, genetically manipulated creatures, chemical robots, and autonomous artificial intelligences. There is no competition, only symbiosis. This is a shared habitat, and all the resources, bodies, and information that it contains are also shared.

In this performative VR experience, each “player” becomes one of the various creatures: a fusion of either human and animal, or human and technology. To complete their symbiosis, the virtual world they are presented with is augmented with scent and physical aids. How does hybridization with other creatures affect us as humans? And what philosophical, legal, emotional, or physical consequences might this fusion have?

Presented by IDFA DocLab in collaboration with STRP.