AfterLife

What might future species do to human remains when we become extinct? This collection of archival materials centers on how humans, as a more advanced species, have treated the teeth of lower animals and speculates how higher species might likewise treat human teeth. This collection of research on human and animal teeth offers a chance to explore the intersection of science, art, culture, and historical context.

The collection is presented as a documentary publication that organizes and arranges animal and human dental research. Materials from offline libraries and online databases were photocopied and scanned to show the process of collecting and organizing information. The images represent three different forms of materials: physical books, online articles, and photos arranged in an irregular, storytelling order. The book starts by introducing the basic concepts of human remains and archaeology, delves into the dental information of human remains, then covers the archaeological and used remains of different types of animals, and finally concludes with specific examples of ivory.

The collection provides an occasion to contemplate the human condition and the impact our species has today by imagining what the future might be. It encourages us to reflect on the type of legacy we will leave for future generations and our effect on the world.

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