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Paper Short Abstract:

This paper examines human-mountain relationships in the Swiss Alps through interconnected assemblages of ice, grass, and herds. Using fieldwork and a sensory bricolage methodology, it explores how multi-species entanglements craft vibrant mountain worlds shaped by climate change and global interconnections.

Paper Abstract:

This presentation rethinks human-mountain relationships in the Swiss Alps through three interconnected and dynamic assemblages: ice, grass, and herds. Drawing on ongoing fieldwork projects and a multi-sensory bricolage methodology, it explores how glaciers, grasslands, and livestock are co-created through entangled ecological, cultural, and economic processes. Moving beyond human-centered perspectives, it engages with the active participation of more-than-human entities in shaping mountain environments.

Glaciers, with their cold, textured surfaces, invite touch and evoke intimate connections while vividly reminding us of global warming’s impact, as their retreat disrupts water cycles essential to alpine ecosystems. Grasslands, maintained by grazing, offer fresh fragrances and sweeping views, connecting humans to these ecosystems and their role in maintaining soil vitality. Herds of cows and sheep bring rhythm to the landscape—the steady sound of cowbells and earthy scents of livestock connect humans to pastoral practices while supporting ecological and economic systems. Grazing animals transform water and grass into milk, meat, and manure, tying local pastures to global markets through branded products like cheese and chocolate. Human actions—including grazing practices, the use of fertilizers, and feed supplements—intersect with demands for idyllic landscapes driven by tourism. These dynamics influence the balance of these assemblages, sometimes supporting stability, but also risking disruption and ecological fragility.

This paper unwrites with non-human others by foregrounding bricolage and sensory methodologies to explore these assemblages. It examines how multi-species entanglements challenge conventional methods and narratives, offering fresh perspectives on vibrant mountain worlds and their global interconnections.