Ruoling Serena Shen
About
I want to explore the neglected unequal relationship between humans and plants in my project, as well as the boundaries of environmental protection.
The core concept is to build a world that respects all sentient beings, in order to raise people's attention to plant rights and consider how to balance human development and environmental protection.
Philosopher Peter Singer said that: why we believe that humans have moral cognition is because we have the ability to experience this world. Our lives are valuable, so we need to respect all valuable lives. Bringing the same thinking into plants, plants also have the ability to experience the world. As long as we are moral individuals, we need to respect valuable life, including plants.
In addition, in terms of environmental protection, humans are not simply protecting the environment, they are protecting for the continuation of human civilization. If partially protected regulations restrict the development of certain economies, then such protection is putting the cart before the horse.
I hope to showcase the world I have built through different stories, allowing people to understand more about the perspective of plants, reflect on the unethical situation plants are in today, and how to balance human development and environmental protection.
Statement
Throughout my BA journey at the UAL, my design ethos and approach have been shaped by a unique blend of influences, interests, and experiences.
The integrative nature of product and furniture design, coupled with an emphasis on user satisfaction, ignited my passion for design. From experimenting with coding to exploring how product design can enhance mundane experiences such as waiting for a meal, I am constantly fascinated by how design can tangibly impact our everyday lives.
However, since embarking on my MA journey at RCA, my focus has shifted towards a relatively unexplored realm - the intricate relationship between humans and plants, and the complex boundaries of environmental conservation.
My core aim is to construct a worldview that respects all sentient beings, informed by the philosophy of Peter Singer. This approach encourages respect for all valuable lives that can experience the world, including plants. By sharing my vision through various mediums, such as live performances or interactive spaces, I hope to spark dialogue about the balance between human development and environmental protection.
I also aspire to utilise storytelling as a means to articulate my design ideas. Building upon my collaboration with GPT and my experiences in creating user-centric products, I aim to construct narratives that bring to life the world I envision – a republic that respects all sentient beings. This exploration will not only involve further refining of these stories but also potential staging of live performances and the creation of interactive spaces.
Overall, my journey as a designer is a continuous process of learning, experimenting, and evolving. As I move forward, I remain committed to unearthing new ways of integrating technology and design, always with a focus on sustainability and respect for all forms of life.
Sentient Beings State - website
Sentient Beings is a biospheric egalitarianism state. It aims to protect the rights and interests of all sentient beings, as well as to maintain ecological balance and biodiversity.
Sentient Beings will enable people to better understand the perspective of plants, reflect on the unethical situation in which plants are today, and how to balance human development and environmental protection.
Medium: website
Sentient Beings State - Constitution
Sentient Beings State - Constitution
- The Sentient Beings is a biospheric egalitarianism state and based on the protection of the rights and interests of all sentient beings.
The system of peaceful coexistence of creatures is the fundamental system of Sentient Beings. It is forbidden for any organization or creature to destroy the system of peaceful coexistence of creatures.
Chapter I General Provisions
1. This Constitution is the fundamental law to ensure the right of all Sentient Beings to be respected and protected. At the same time, the state values environmental protection and ecological balance and strives to maintain the health of the ecosystem.
2. All sentient beings shall be respected as individuals. Their right to life, liberty and health shall be a matter of supreme consideration for JusticeJet to the extent that it does not affect the order of sentient species.
Chapter II Rights and Basic Freedoms
1. The basic biological rights of sentient beings, which shall not be interfered with, and shall be the inviolable rights of present and future generations.
Basic sentient beings’ rights include: not to be treated differently due to differences in species, gender, freedom, right to survival, right to repay, right to be protected by JustiForce and EcoEye, right to sunshine, DNA protection, etc.
2. No creature shall be deprived of its life and liberty, nor shall other behaviors that violate state ethics be imposed privately, except in accordance with procedures established by law.
3. The rights and interests of all sentient beings shall not conflict with each other. When resolving conflicts, ecological balance and environmental protection shall be the premise.
4. The reproductive offspring of sentient beings shall not be subject to coercive control by any third party.
Chapter III Decision-making System & Biome Resource Production Allocation and Exchange
1. The state implements a decision-making system that maintains ecological balance and environmental protection and establishes a biome.
2. The highest state power organ is the Representative Assembly of Sentient Beings, and the method of its formation and organization is stipulated by law.
3. The state administrative organ implements a representative and joint system, which is elected and appointed by the Representative Assembly to ensure ecological balance and environmental protection.
4. The State established JustiForce and EcoEye to defend rights and protect health and survival.
5. The state implements Biome Resource Production Allocation and Exchange that protect the environment and sustainable development, encourages and supports the development of ecological industries and renewable energy, and promotes coordinated development of the Biome Resource Production Allocation and Exchange, Biome, and environment.
Chapter IV Environmental Protection
1. The state implements the principle of environmental protection and ecological balance, encourages and supports ecological civilization construction and sustainable development.
2. The state protects and maintains the integrity and stability of the ecological system, prevents the occurrence and spread of ecological disasters.
Chapter V Laws and Regulations
1. No sentient being shall be subject to any form of slavery except as a punishment for behaviors that violate state ethics.
2. The right of all sentient beings to be free from forcible search and seizure in their habitat shall not be impaired unless there are sufficient grounds for the issue of a warrant for arrest or destruction, specifying the place to be searched and the articles to be seized.
3. In all behaviors that violate state ethics cases, the accused sentient creature shall have the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial tribunal. The accused creature shall at all times be assisted by counsel or, if the accused creature is unable to obtain the same assistance through its own efforts, shall be represented by EcoVoice appointed by the State.
Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions
1. This Constitution is formulated and amended by Representative Assembly of Sentient Beings.
2. This Constitution shall come into effect from the date of promulgation.
3. The state will take strict punitive measures against behaviors that cause damage and harm to other sentient beings and the environment.
Medium: text
Sentient Beings State - Mask
Medium: gypsum, resin, and wire
Sentient Beings State - Performance
Shoot the performance from the perspective of the law enforcement robot Justin Force.
The performance took place in an outdoor natural environment.
After understanding the meaning of The United State of the Sentient Beings, the audience will learn a gesture to express the biospheric egalitarianism: extend their hands up and combine their fists together with thumbs up. It symbolizes that all sentient creatures live together in an equal ecosystem.
The audience enters the "court" by showing a specific gesture to Justin Force, and follows Justin Force to enter the designated position according to the prescribed route.
If the audience does not enter the "court" according to the specified route, Justin Force will warn the audience that they have trampled on the root of the plant P - X. If they continue to do this, they will be prosecuted for legal responsibility.
In the first and second cases, JusticeJet and EcoVoice were acted by actors.
In the third case, JusticeJet was held by the selected live audience.
Opening scene:
· Audience enters the venue and presents the hand gesture to JustiForce to enter the "court".
· JustiForce guides the audience to the designated position.
· JustiForce warns the audience about stepping on the root of plant P-X, reminding them to protect the environment and follow the designated route.
Entrance of actors:
· JusticeJet and EcoVoice enter and introduce the concept of The United State of the Sentient Beings and the hand gesture for biospheric egalitarianism.
· The audience expresses support and resonance with the hand gesture.
First case:
· JusticeJet and EcoVoice introduce the background and situation of the case.
· Actors play different roles to present the plot through dialogue and monologue.
· JustiForce records the process of the case.
Second case:
· JusticeJet and EcoVoice introduce the background and situation of the case.
· Actors play different roles to present the plot through dialogue and monologue.
· JustiForce records the process of the case.
Third case:
· JusticeJet and EcoVoice introduce the background and situation of the case.
· An audience member is selected to play JusticeJet and present the plot through dialogue and monologue.
· JustiForce records the process of the case.
Conclusion:
· The audience again uses the hand gesture to express support and resonance.
JustiForce concludes the "court" process.
Medium: performance