REIMAGINING ART AND MEMORY: POSTHUMAN AESTHETICS IN STATION ELEVEN BY EMILY ST JOHN MANDEL

Abstract

This paper explores how art and memory function beyond human-centered perspectives through a posthumanist lens. Posthumanism challenges the idea that humans are the center of culture by emphasizing connections between humans, objects, and the environment. This research examines how artistic expression goes beyond traditional human narratives, involving nonhuman agency, materiality, and interconnection. Instead of being just a record of the past, art plays a crucial role in survival, adaptation, and meaning-making in a changed world. This study argues that memory is not only stored in human minds but also in objects, landscapes, and technology. Art does more than preserve lost civilizations—it helps individuals and communities rebuild identity and meaning. The persistence of artistic expression shows that culture is not just a human achievement but something that evolves and interacts with nonhuman forces. By looking at art as a bridge between the past and the future, this research offers a new perspective on how creativity continues beyond human dominance. Additionally, this study examines how art fosters ethical connections with the nonhuman world. Moving beyond human-centered views, it explores how artistic expression blurs the lines between humans and nonhumans. Objects, artifacts, and technology play a role in preserving history and shaping artistic practices. This aligns with posthumanist ideas that reject human superiority and highlight how various forces influence artistic expression. By analyzing the endurance of artistic practices outside traditional institutions, this paper shows how posthumanist aesthetics reshape ideas about cultural value and legacy. Art is not just a luxury but a key part of survival and storytelling.