The Pulse of a Smelly Stranger
Thesis / Writing / Book design
Thesis research in a form of a book publication. Written and designed by me with a hand drawn illustrations by Michelle Patanella.
This thesis explores the role of care within interspecies relations, seeking to define what constitutes a “right” way of caring as we move from human-centrism toward a More-than-Human collective. A significant portion of this research is dedicated to the psychological and cultural obstacles that hinder the human acknowledgment of other species and their agency, alongside a deconstruction of selective, paternalistic patterns of protection. Methodologically, the work bridges personal narrative with critical theory, scientific discourses and fiction to emphasize the importance of storytelling. This approach repositions non-human agents as dynamic participants with the potency to reshape the narrative trajectory.