‘Prosthesis not as a sign of loss but as symptom of excess’

John_0 — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:57:16 +0000

(part of statement by Stelarc during his visit to Culture Lab on the 19th of March.)

Technology = ‘prosthesis’ – not ‘literal’ artificial body parts – legs / hearts / breast implants – but objects which extend and transmit an individual’s conception of self in a way which is more than mere metaphor.

Tools for Artists

John_0 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:41:32 +0000

…absence of a higher level interfacing tool creates a barrier to participation… (previous post)

The basic corkscrew twists into a cork and (with a bit of umph!) the cork is pulled out of the bottle, releasing wine. The Wing Corkscrew (above) does exactly the same thing, but assisted by two levers either side, (mechanical advantage) our cork is removed with a little less umph!

Does my glass of wine taste different – better or worse – as a result of the bottle being opened with mechanical assistance?

Tools:

Humans are animals that use tools.
Tools extend capability.
Extension is technology is (digital) media. McLuhan.

Interfaces:

Between-ness.
Physical Interface / Software Interface / Human Computer Interface
HANDS-ON?

Instruments:

Precision
Potentially CREATIVE tools…
Arduino (electronics, code, physics, physicality)
MAXmsp (graphical, GUI, programming)
OpenFrameworks (C++, more lower level code)

BUT, let’s remain focused on the wine (and how to get at it) not the corkscrew, crowbar, cannon or wateva…

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‘Prosthesis not as a sign of loss but as symptom of excess’

Tools for Artists