How to talk about technology without talking about technology? A practice-based approach in comics art

In my ongoing research, I explore how emerging technologies could be represented in comics so that they align with (and potentially promote) democratic values such as equity, transparency, sustainability, safety, and human autonomy. These values are drawn from EU legislation on technology. Using a practice-based methodology grounded in rhetorical techniques, I aim to create a series of short fictional stories in which technologies appear to be shaped according to these values, while reflecting on the creative process involved. In my presentation, I will outline my approach as I craft the pitch for one of these stories. First, I will shortly explain how I came to face the challenge of writing about technology without writing about technology. I will clarify the difficulty I encountered when I first realized that the sense of my artistic practice having a practical utility was drying up my enthusiasm to write as well as my imagination. Second, I will share my process for creating the pitch, including both the obstacles in content creation and my personal experiences, recorded in my logbook. Finally, I will propose discussing the process outcomes with the audience, in light of the feedback provided the drawer I work with in a duo, namely Celia Ducaju.