Posthuman

2016

PVC tape, UV print, velvet clay, 400*240 cm

Throughout human history physical limitations have been an obstacle for an evolutionary leap, but today humanity is about to overcome them. Human civilization has reached a radically new level of development, where anthropotechnological inventions and biosocial evolution are being replaced by a socio-cybernetic one, and a new type on human body and consciousness is formed. Humans now live much longer and our intellect can go beyond the limits set by our biological nature. Technological breakthroughs have allowed us to achieve a new level of transhumanism. But as  we become super human and gain the ability to adapt our physical body to new tasks, do we lose our human identity? Will technology allow us to achieve immortality, happiness and equal opportunities for all or will it aggravate social inequality?

Sultan

Budyonny horse

The first hydraulic prostheses with electric motors were tested on a horse. A distance controller could switch between three regimes. The artificial limb also controlled the way the foot (or hoof) landed onto the ground when walking or running. Today, cyborg horses take part in elite races, while these inventions have also contributed to the invention of ultra-sensitive bio prostheses.

Chip

Orangutan

Orangutan was the first monkey to take part in a neurocomputer interface test. A chip implanted into the monkey’s brain allowed the monkey, who used about 300 neurons to walk and change direction, to move in a more confident and complicated manner. This technology was one of the early steps in human cyborgization and ws used to help people who had trouble using their limbs.

Arzamas

Eagle

Golden eagle was among the first radio controlled birds. A radio system with a micro controller attached to the bird translated radio signal into electric impulses sent to various parts of the bird’s nervous system.  The machine was powered with a miniature battery. Cyborg birds (and in particuar cyborg seagulls and pigeons) are currently used in intelligence, and are espocially useful to monitor activity in densely populated areas from low heights.