Queer Termite Project
Artist Kuang-Yi Ku collaborates with scientists who study the eusocial insect of termites to jointly establish a fictional scenario of an interspecies future. In this futuristic narrative based on a knowledge of termite biology, the artist and scientists have created a fictional social structure for termites where nine social strata have been identified as cornerstones for further classification. From this, more than 1,000 different classes are further derived. In this speculative evolution they have designed, human beings and termites exist in multiple complex relationships of enmity and friendship. At the conclusion in this tale of science fiction, a possible structure of mutually beneficial symbiosis is formed.
The artist hopes to explore new relationships between humans and non-human organisms through this interspecies sci-fi prototype, and aims to evaluate the stigmatization of termites as “pests” from a non-anthropocentric perspective. Additionally, this project will endeavor to contemplate reinterpretations of a termite society where class structures are determined through reproductive abilities and biological sex. By studying new imaginations of gender and the working class among non-human organisms, this project attempts to infer possibilities for a Queer Ecosystem formed by both humans and non-humans.
The artist hopes to explore new relationships between humans and non-human organisms through this interspecies sci-fi prototype, and aims to evaluate the stigmatization of termites as “pests” from a non-anthropocentric perspective. Additionally, this project will endeavor to contemplate reinterpretations of a termite society where class structures are determined through reproductive abilities and biological sex. By studying new imaginations of gender and the working class among non-human organisms, this project attempts to infer possibilities for a Queer Ecosystem formed by both humans and non-humans.
Credits:
Sci-Fi Author: YKKC
Pop-Sci Author: Kuan-Chih Kuan
Termite Biology Consultants: Professor Hou-Feng Li and Dr. Chun-I Chiu of the National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) Department of Entomology, and the NCHU Laboratory of Urban Etymology
Book design: Tzu-Yen Chen
Architectural Space and Visual Design: Tzu-Yen Chen
3D Architectural Model Design: Zhao-Wei Liu
3D Termite Model Design: Hong-Xiang Huang
Display Design: Hsing-Wen Lin
Arts administration: Chun-Ting Chen
This project was commissioned by Jut Art Museum, and sponsored and supported by the National Culture and Arts Foundation.
Sci-Fi Author: YKKC
Pop-Sci Author: Kuan-Chih Kuan
Termite Biology Consultants: Professor Hou-Feng Li and Dr. Chun-I Chiu of the National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) Department of Entomology, and the NCHU Laboratory of Urban Etymology
Book design: Tzu-Yen Chen
Architectural Space and Visual Design: Tzu-Yen Chen
3D Architectural Model Design: Zhao-Wei Liu
3D Termite Model Design: Hong-Xiang Huang
Display Design: Hsing-Wen Lin
Arts administration: Chun-Ting Chen
This project was commissioned by Jut Art Museum, and sponsored and supported by the National Culture and Arts Foundation.
Sci-fi publication "Deep Termites", Order here: https://rb.gy/uq7gat
Publisher: Chung Hsi Chemical Plant, Ltd.
Publisher: Chung Hsi Chemical Plant, Ltd.
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LIVES exhibition at Jut Art Museum