Mediating Corporeality: Re-Interpretations at the Art/Science Interface

Abstract

Contemporary scientific discoveries are rapidly modifying established concepts of embodiment and corporeality. For example, developing techniques in adult stem cell research can actively remodel the human body; whilst neuroscientists are shedding increasing light on the functioning of our brains. My research at the art/science nexus draws upon recent media theories to investigate the ways twenty-first century constructs of ‘humanness’ and the ‘self’ are affected by both historical and contemporary scientific research and developments in digital imaging technologies. In this article, examples from my artworks: “machina carnis” and “HOST” illustrate how my use of innovative digital technologies and collaborative methodologies has enabled me to immerse myself in the scientific experience at first hand. I demonstrate how my reinterpretations of what is commonly termed ‘hard’ scientific research data does not seek to emulate ‘objective’ readings of the experimental digital image data but rather recontextualises it in the context of my artworks. These artworks acknowledge the personal and visceral content in the scientific data and enable viewer/participants to reflect upon the issues raised from an emotive and individual perspective.