Ecological Ensemble

Abstract

The arrival of the Internet in Atlixco, Puebla, frames a reflection on the complexities of communication in the Global South. Unlike urban contexts in the Global North, where Internet access and technological infrastructure expanded rapidly and almost universally, the Global South faces unique challenges. In places like Atlixco, digital communication has been a gradual and fragmented process, marked by significant gaps in access and adoption of technology. "Ecological Ensemble" is an installation that explores the symbiotic communication between fungi and plants, specifically through the underground network known as the Wood Wide Web. This network, where fungi and trees exchange nutrients, symbolizes alternative communication connections among non-human species. The work unveils what is usually hidden, transforming fungal spores into cotton threads to visually represent this interaction. It draws on empirical methodologies and grounded theory. Inspired by the late arrival of the Internet in my hometown, Atlixco, it links this natural communication network to human digital technologies, addressing the complex effects of digital media on everyday life in the Global South, from Internet infrastructure and communication methods to techno-political challenges. Exploring "Ecological Ensemble" invites a critical perspective on communication in a world that must recognize biological and digital networks to achieve a more harmonious and sustainable coexistence.