Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

The More-than-human Interview: Memory and Comics as Ecological Practice

Activity: Talk or presentationOral presentationAcademic

Description

We introduce the more-than-human interview, an arts-based inquiry method in which researchers and artists adopt fictional nonhuman perspectives to interview humans about their memories, experiences, and perceptions of the natural world. These narratives are then interpreted and shared through comics. The process fosters a multi-perspective dialogue on environmental action and memory, challenging anthropocentric views by blurring the boundaries between human and nonhuman perspectives.
We present a case study featuring Helle, a passionate advocate for sustainability, interviewed by Mr. Buisson—a whimsical, bush-like character (from the French buisson, meaning “bush”). This playful yet reflective exchange reveals how childhood experiences shaped Helle’s environmental awareness and her journey in the field of sustainability. We explore how the comic format serves as a powerful storytelling tool to interpret and represent memory, making complex themes accessible and emotionally resonant through humor, engaging characters, and a cartoony visual style.
Finally, we reflect on responses from readers, who reported that the comic evoked personal memories of childhood and nature, and inspired renewed reflection on their own formative experiences in nature.
Period9 Oct 2025
Event titleComFor 2025 - Comics and Childhood
Event typeConference
LocationHamburg, GermanyShow on map
Degree of RecognitionInternational