In today’s day and age, where we increasingly talk about inclusivity, does this notion only apply to humans? What about fellow non-humans – from domesticated pets to wild animals, or seemingly passive city plants to lichens? Are they a part of this discourse, and do they even have a say? How can we tell if we’re not merely projecting our human narratives onto them and that we are in fact, helping their existence and their needs?

Co-founder of the initiative Feral Malmö and service designer at Drevet, Inna Zrajaeva is of the belief that nowadays, many people see nature as a separate entity and space to us humans. Whether this is in regards to nature’s presence in our private and personal space as well as collective space, such as cities and urban space.

Drawing upon the concept of polyphonic assemblages coined by anthropologist Lowenhaupt Tsing, Zrajaeva places emphasis on seeing human and non-human assemblages to close the bridge of separation. Utilizing a wide variety of examples near and far, some of Feral Malmö’s memorable examples include their project in collaboration with Latinskola applied to the area of Nyhamnen. In this workshop, they imagine if the ocean – alongside the profiles of Öresund species – could have a say, what would it be? Giving them a more nuanced political and cultural undertones to their usual conventional and biological descriptions.

In regards to facing challenges and possible frictions with non-humans in cities or shared spaces, Zrajaeva offers a piece of advice to reflect on. Perhaps this could be the mindset relevant to all beings, particularly as we head toward a more inclusive and wiser society.
“There’s a way to learn how to deal with those frictions [with nature] the way we deal with frictions in our relationships with our children, parents, and partners. Where sometimes we should give them the agency and take a step back.”