In A Cabinet for Present and Imagined Futures, Svenja Kratz engages with the ethical and speculative dimensions of genetic engineering and biotechnology. The diorama is crafted with a blend of real and simulated organic materials and features hybrid organisms, signalling the increasing overlap between species and the synthetic manipulation of life. This blurring illustrates a posthuman perspective, where boundaries between the "natural" and "engineered" become increasingly indistinct, challenging viewers to question the ethical lines we draw in life sciences.

The inclusion of birds within the diorama serves as a symbolic element, representing the chaotic and unpredictable aspects of evolution. The transition from a white dove to a mangled, gem-encrusted crow reflects on the costs of progress: while actions, especially those driven by economic ambition, may initially appear positive, they can often lead to unintended consequences. The crow adorned with precious stones highlights how the pursuit of profit, often linked to suffering, can exploit both biological systems and organisms. This setup reflects on how economic motivations frequently intertwine with scientific advancement, sometimes with destructive results for the ecosystems and organisms involved.

The work forms part of The Absence of Alice.