EMBODIMENT, ALIVENESS AND AGENCY: ZOMBIES, CYBORGS AND CHIMERAS Stelarc

EMBODIMENT, ALIVENESS AND AGENCY: ZOMBIES, CYBORGS AND CHIMERAS Stelarc
EMBODIMENT, ALIVENESS AND AGENCY: ZOMBIES, CYBORGS AND CHIMERAS Stelarc

Singapore Theatre
Melbourne School of Design
Masson Road
The University of Melbourne
Parkville, VIC 3010

Map
  • AA Visiting School

MSD, Science Gallery Melbourne and AA Visiting Schools Melbourne presents: Stelarc

We inhabit an age of Circulating Flesh, Fractal Flesh and Phantom Flesh. Organs are extracted from one body and inserted into other bodies. Hands from a cadaver can be attached to the arms of an amputee and be reanimated. By Fractal Flesh is meant bodies, bits of bodies and brains spatially separated but electronically connected, generating recurring patterns of interactivity at varying scales. Phantom Flesh proliferates. Phantom not as in phantasmatic but rather experienced as phantom limbs. We simultaneously function as physical bodies offline and Phantom Flesh online. The body in excess has become a contemporary chimera of meat, metal and code. What it means to be human is perhaps not to remain human at all. In this age of body hacking, gene mapping, prosthetic augmentation, organ swapping, face transplants and synthetic skin, what it means to be a body and what it means to be human and what generates aliveness and agency becomes problematic.

Stelarc:

Stelarc’s performances incorporate Prosthetics, Robotics, VR, the Internet and Biotechnology. He has performed with a Third Hand, a Stomach Sculpture and Exoskeleton, a 6-legged walking robot. Fractal Flesh, Ping Body and Parasite explore online remote and involuntary choreography using a muscle stimulation system. Stelarc has surgically constructed an ear on his arm, that will be electronically augmented and internet enabled. Reclining StickMan is a 9m long robot that is algorithmically actuated and can be remote controlled. In 1996 he was made an Honorary Professor of Art and Robotics, Carnegie Mellon University and in 2002 was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by Monash University. In 2010 he was awarded the Ars Electronica Hybrid Arts Prize. In 2015 he received the Australia Council’s Emerging and Experimental Arts Award. In 2016 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Ionian University, Corfu. His artwork is represented by Scott Livesey Galleries, Melbourne. www.stelarc.org

Presentation

Date: Monday 12 July, 2021

Time: 18:15 - 19:30 AEST* Melbourne (UTC +10)

Venue: Singapore Theatre (B120), Basement Glyn Davis Building

Please note:

The event will be held in‐person at the Melbourne School of Design.

Gaining a ticket to this event does not guarantee you a seat to the event. Please arrive 15 minutes early to avoid disappointment. Please ensure that you have your mask with you when you attend any University events. Social distancing will be encouraged and if you are unable to physically social distance you will need to wear your mask. Due to COVIDSafe event guidelines and reductions to capacities at our venues, tickets to this event are limited. Please let us know if you are unable to attend so we can release your ticket to other interested parties.

With Thanks, ABP Events Team

AA Visiting School Public Lecture Series:

Image annotation: Extended Arm, Stelarc.  Photographer: Dean Winter.  Scott Livesey Galleries.

Subscribe to MSD News for more events