Why do we humans not perceive ourselves as an integral part of nature, when we are absolutely dependent on it? While working on this issue, we realized that the design world is looking for two things: a connection to nature and the deconstruction of that very concept.

In conversation with members of the young Institute for Postnatural Studies, it becomes clear that much remains contradictory when trying to deconstruct nature. Biodesigner Natsai Audrey Chieza of Faber Futures points out that it is essential to talk about money and power when discussing nature. Designer and theorist Felix Kosok writes about body design through testosterone. We learn how human-built birdhouses have changed over the centuries and visit dog shows with photographer Martin Andersen.

We also take a closer look at foam objects, find out which object makes Ana Relvão want to dance, present utopian design projects, travel to the world's largest cork processing company, ask Sandra Doeller three questions, and give Alex Valentina plenty of space for his swirly 3D fonts.

The cover shows probably the most-viewed photograph in the world, the Microsoft XP desktop background Bliss. It symbolizes humanity's ambivalent relationship with nature. Because: can a purely cultivated landscape be called natural?

By and with
Anne Stiefel • Paulina Grebenstein • Driving the Human • Christoph Rauscher • Squizzy P • Daisy Collingridge • Touche-Touche • Big-Game • Lennart Franz • Martin Andersen • Studio Hendrikx • Marie Louise Juul Søndergaard • Faber Futures • Natsai Audrey Chieza • Institute for Postnatural Studies • Alex Valentina • Isabel Naegele • Markus Hieke • Kork • Sandra Doeller • Ana Relvão and many more.

December 2021, Verlag form, 144 pages, 23 x 29.8 cm, softcover, German edition

ISBN 987-3-943962-55-0