What if life evolved without mortality? What if intelligence existed without language, ethics, or the need for survival?
Flor Ariana Fabela Garfio
Through my work, I seek to navigate the intersections of art, science, and philosophy, exploring what it means to be alive and what lies beyond our current understanding of existence. Life on Earth is infinitely complex, yet we struggle to define it. If we cannot fully understand life here (homeostasis, reproduction, growth, and the enigmatic exceptions like viruses) how can we begin to search for it elsewhere? This tension forms the heart of my art practice.
I imagine worlds where life defies our definitions, such as beings who never die, societies without competition, or ecosystems composed entirely of organisms so alien they challenge our notions of biology and intelligence. Through sculptural forms inspired by Earth’s flora and fauna, I ask questions: What if life evolved without mortality? What if intelligence existed without language, ethics, or the need for survival? These speculative inquiries are rooted in an awe for Earth’s diversity, from its deserts that once held oceans to its ancient sea creatures, whose alien-like forms still evoke wonder.
Mortality is central to my reflections. It is our finite nature that infuses life with urgency and purpose, compelling us to care for what we have and who we are. In imagining immortal beings, I contrast their timeless existence with the fleeting beauty of humanity, where everyday matters because it might be our last. By envisioning alien civilizations that challenge our assumptions, I aim to deepen our appreciation for the uniqueness of life on Earth, a world teeming with intelligence and interconnection that we often take for granted.
My work challenges the audience to reconsider what it means to search for life in the universe. How do we imagine alien intelligence when we cannot fully communicate with the life already here? How do we value the precious gift of our mortality when faced with fantasies of eternity? In these questions, I hope to inspire awe and humility, reminding us that life, here and elsewhere, is rare, precious, and worthy of care.
Flor Fabela 