This book, which is published to accompany the eponymous multimedia exhibition at HMKV Dortmund, presents a radical change of perspective. It looks at the world from the point of view of non-human organisms, to which we generally do not attribute consciousness. Kerima Stolzer and Lex Rütten give a voice to these beings and things: they express themselves through the seven fictional characters Micro, Xtract, Pionea, Azolla, Symbiotechnica, Extinct, and Hydra. With their help, the artists speculate about past, present and future symbioses between microorganisms, plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, and technical objects. They explore new kinds of cycles and alliances in nature – in the age of the Anthropocene and far beyond.

In colorful, comic-like video, VR, and sound installations, visitors encounter these fictional creatures whose tininess and childlike singing trigger the viewer’s protective instinct and sympathy. Aside from a photo documentation of the exhibition, this volume contains a new essay by Salome Rodeck as well as short encyclopedic texts or text excerpts on the seven characters.