Since the 60’s, Australian performance artist Stelarc has been publicly exploring the boundaries of the human body and human experience while simultaneously investigating means by which to extend and transform it. His latest exploration involves the implantation of an organic ear on his forearm.

Much has been written in the blogosphere about the ear implantation and the soon-to-be realized modifications of Bluetooth integration and subsequent ‘net broadcasting of heard sounds, with many writers questioning - through posts and comments - the utility of the ear, placement of the ear and choice of technology. As interesting as those particular “innovations” may be, however, they are secondary to the thread of significance that has connected all of Stelarc’s work from the beginning.

Utilizing both primitive as well as sophisticated technologies, from flesh suspension to ingested/implanted stomach sculpture, third arms, exoskeletons and user controlled remote muscle stimulation, Stelarc calls our attention back to the role of the body in the creation of our world view – and consistently shows us how flexible and extendable it truly is. Particularly in our highly connected information age, Stelarc suggests that “the body is biologically inadequate” and he presents to us the possibilities of how “electronic space becomes a medium of action rather than information”, thereby extending the preconceptions of even the latest technologies – preconceptions that are, again, rooted in our sense of physiological self.

Stelarc’s work will always be subject to the latest technologies and his critics will undoubtedly forever lob their attacks at the seemingly freakish way in which he explores the human sense of self through cyborg-like enhancements, but his questions remain timeless. Through his own modern lens of artistic exploration, Stelarc brings to the fore the perennial questions of the human condition, encourages us to explore them and, most importantly, shows us that we can reconsider and extend them in radical ways. His work is a powerful reminder that man is fundamentally characterized by possibility and freedom – and that we need only change our minds to change our world.

tags: australia, bluetooth, body mod, cyborg, existentialism, flesh hooks, freaks, implants, metaphysics, ontology, performance art, philosophy, posthumanism, sculpture, stelarc, suspension, transhumanism

This entry was posted on Monday, May 21st, 2007 at May 21, 07 | 1:24 pm and is filed under Art, Just Noumenon Posts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.