Biodegradation as More-Than-Human Unmaking
People: Fiona Bell, Nadia Campo Woytuk, Marie Louise Juul, Søndergaard and Mirela Alistar
Year: 2022-ongoing
Description: We introduce biodegradation as a process of more-than-human unmaking. To exemplify this process, we detail two existing works—ReClaym and Biomenstrual—that exemplify how biodegradability can be explored in design through different biomaterials, methods, and contexts. Through these projects, we identify six themes and corresponding suggestions for researchers engaging with biodegradation. In doing so, we aim to provide design researchers with practical tools and insights for engaging with biodegradation to unmake anthropocentric hierarchies between humans, non-humans, and biomaterials, which in turn can promote environmental sustainability and support more-than-human collaboration and care.
Outcomes: ACM TOCHI Journal Paper