STELARC

Stelarc

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Purpose of the Study4

Brief outlook of the Paper4

Chapter 1: The Invasion of Technology5

Chapter 2: Is the body-machine a parasite? Considering moral issues and cultural limits13

Cyborg body-identity15

Chapter 3: Reflections from an Artist20

Stelarc's Cyborg Art and his Influence20

The Dada Art Movement23

Dada Philosophy Styles and Methods23

The Idea is More Important Than the Work of Art Itself24

Raoul Hausmann and his Contribution to Cyborg Art24

Chapter 4: Conclusion29

References35

Introduction

'The human body is bursting from its biological aspect to a cyber zone of interface and extension'-from genetic containment to electronicimplementations (Gehlen, 1980). Our body is neither a very efficient nor a durable structure: it malfunctions often and fatigues quickly -its performance is determined by its age. So it might be the aspiration of technology to fully consider the body obsolete in form and function (Fukuyama, 2002). There is always a desire to achieve perfection through the evolvement of technology.

Now, various aspects of the human body and mind have been transformed into forms that allows us to interact withthe modern era more efficiently for example Bluetooth and infra-red ear piece are been used for communication, machines are used for hard tasks,manual task is being computerized (Freedman, 2000). Moreover, enhancing the human organs and redesigning the human forms could be itself a step of evolution. Half human half machine might be the height of technology. My project aims are to investigate the extent to which technology has enhanced aspect of human functioning and the ethical implications of technological intervention.

Purpose of the Study

This essay aims to investigate the extent to which technology has enhanced aspect of human functioning and ethical implications of technological intervention.

Brief outlook of the Paper

The first chapter is based on the invasion of technology on humankind with a brief discussion on fine arts and harlem rennaisance. The second chapter elaborates on the idea of cultural limits to the body being transformed as a machine. The third chapter highlights the reflections from an artist's point of views in connection with the cyborg and art technology. The fourth chapter concludes the dissertation with summarizing the whole dissertation.



Chapter 1: The Invasion of Technology

Humankind has been engaged in an irreversible journey of technological manipulation of our bodies - organ transplantation to implementation of artificial parameters: limbs,liver ,hearts, amputated leg beingreplaced by prototype robot, effective medicines,clone of cells and nuclear energy for warfare. It also includes the potential improvement to human physical, mental, moral and social capabilities in the view to reduce poverty and malnutrition, amplify fighting of diseases and alleviate disabilities (Featherstone, 1991). Then it will exploit the idea of redesigning the body as half flesh half metal through technology -(Featherstone, 1995).

The lack of participation in and recognition of African Americans in the fine arts is due, in large part, to the differences in how these media are produced and disseminated. Traditionally, fine artists have belonged to European-based schools or academy traditions that have limited access to African American artists (Featherstone, 1991). Moreover, unlike musicians and writers, who create public works for mass audiences, fine artists frequently work for ...