Ashley Zhang wants to challenge the very idea that the model of nature is hierarchical with humans on top. She approaches this through the lens of Daoism and science. From Daoism, the idea that is emphasized throughout the process of her work, is that human life is only a small part of the bigger picture and that living in harmony with nature is what makes sense. She combines this with her belief that all living things, in the light of their micro and nano processes, are connected by the rules nature has set for them. These two ideas make up the foundation of her work and with it, she wants to show why it is important to keep nature and nature’s designs in mind when advancing our technology and society.
Interconnected explores this by looking at it from the nanoscale. Redox reactions and the neuron take the central stage along with the processes behind microbial fuel cells. All of this comes together in a sculpture and explorative research that combines nature, technology and a renewed view of humanity’s disposition in the world.