During my studies in London, I have explored themes of urban life, human interaction, and communication through various forms of art. My previous projects included using poetry as a medium to express the limitations and intricacies of language. However, I have recently turned my focus to what may seem like a simpler, yet more profound, exploration of communication: the lives of ants.
Inspired by Bert Hölldobler and Edward O. Wilson’s The Ants, which reveals the remarkable social structures and communication methods of these tiny creatures, I created a series of ant sculptures using wire and nuts. These installations capture ants’ everyday activities, emphasizing their efficient, interconnected ways of living. Unlike humans, who rely heavily on language, ants communicate through pheromones and non-verbal cues, allowing them to collaborate seamlessly without misunderstandings or conflicts.
My exploration into the world of ants stems from a critique of human communication. As a linguistics undergraduate, I have long been fascinated by the power and limitations of language. In my previous work, I engaged in wordplay, crafted poetry, and studied cross-cultural communication extensively. Yet, my experiences studying abroad in London made me acutely aware of the barriers that language creates. Even with a background in intercultural communication, I witnessed firsthand how differences in backgrounds and perspectives can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and failed interactions.
Language, while a tool of civilization, is also inherently flawed. It can be used to deceive, exclude, or manipulate. This recognition has been influenced by posthumanist theories, which question the centrality of human perspectives and tools, like language, in understanding the world. In this context, I am intrigued by how ants, with their non-verbal, pheromone-based communication, achieve a level of cooperation and social organization that humans often struggle with. Ants do not need words to convey their needs, nor do they lie; their communication is efficient, direct, and harmonious.
In my installation, I depict ants using materials like wire and nuts to symbolize their industriousness, resilience, and the interconnectedness of their society. By focusing on the daily lives of ants, my work attempts to capture the beauty of their social structures. These tiny creatures instinctively divide labor, cultivate fungus, and use their jaws as tools, all without the need for spoken language. This efficiency, combined with their lack of deception, stands in stark contrast to the often convoluted and conflicting nature of human communication.
My project raises questions about the role of language in human civilization: Does our reliance on words hinder more than it helps? Could we learn something from these creatures that, despite their simplicity, have perfected the art of cooperation? By turning my gaze from the human-centric world of cities and social structures to the seemingly humble lives of ants, I explore what it means to communicate effectively and live harmoniously.
Theoretical Influences and References
1. Bert Hölldobler and Edward O. Wilson’s The Ants: This book was a key inspiration for my work. It delves into the complex social behaviors and communication strategies of ants, which rely on chemical signals rather than language.
2. Donna Haraway’s Staying with the Trouble: Haraway’s posthumanist perspective challenges the human-centered view of the world, encouraging us to consider non-human ways of living and communicating.
3. Bruno Latour’s We Have Never Been Modern: Latour’s critique of the separation between nature and society has influenced my thinking about how we perceive non-human forms of life and organization.
4. Jürgen Habermas’ The Theory of Communicative Action: Although focused on human discourse, Habermas’ exploration of communication’s role in social integration contrasts sharply with the ants’ efficient, non-verbal methods.