Bestiary of the Anthropocene (2021)
Nicolas Nova & Disnovation.org

In medieval bestiaries, herbaria and lapidaria, real beasts, plants and stones next to imaginary ones were described with all sorts of details like their properties, virtues and how to use them treating illnesses. In the 21st century the world has changed. Our knowledge about the environment has allowed us to discern imaginary beasts from those whose existence is proven, to reach a more systematic way of presenting animals, plants and minerals, and to discover new kingdoms such as bacteria, fungi or protozoa. Advances in science and technology also gave rise to a whole new set of artificial or hybrid cases, from humanoid robots to rock-shaped Bluetooth speakers and cultured meat; not to mention genetically engineered creatures, and the industrial production of trees. Such an evolution calls for being mapped out, for revising our bestiaries, herbaria and lapidaria, and for examining the creatures of our era: The Anthropocene.