Living With Your Own Ideas
Last updated
Last updated
In this intense course, we explored the significance of prosthetics, not only as medical aids, but as essential elements for self-expression, aesthetic exploration, and as well as digital interaction. See prosthetics beyond functional assistance, considering them as an integral part of one's identity to interaction with the world.
"Living With Your Own Ideas," reflects this multidimensional view of prosthetics, using them to experiment with how we present ourselves and how society perceives us. Prosthetics in this course become tools of self-identity and artistic exploration, much like how James Legg's Anatomical Crucifixion, as represented by Thomas Banks, challenged historical narratives.
The course emphasizes a balance between aesthetics and functionality. We’re challenged to create prosthetics that are not only visually appealing but also serve practical or expressive functions.
In the historical context, prosthetics have often been limited to specific medical or functional roles. This course dismantles those boundaries, urging us to use prosthetics in fashion, identity, and digital presence. By integrating these with exercises we step beyond mere utility, considering how these objects communicate who we are.
In this framework, prosthetics become devices for interaction and symbols of our individual journeys and expressions. They become part of a broader conversation about visibility, identity, and autonomy.
I designed this prosthesis as a futuristic prototype intended to transform the way we perceive identity: by covering all facial features except the mouth, it encourages interaction solely through conversation, eliminating preconceptions tied to skin color or cultural background. The mask subtly alters the visual perception of anyone observing it, challenging traditional views on identity and connection in human interaction. The prosthesis offers an alternative means of interaction, inviting conversations that transcend immediate physical impressions. Hiding visual markers like skin tone and facial features, the prothesis encourages deeper engagement, positioning identity as a fluid, conversation-driven experience rather than a visually defined one.
The prosthesis is a tool to foster empathy and open-mindedness, bridging divides by focusing on shared humanity.
The two videos generated with Runway with a some unexpected results... 😶🌫️
In designing this wolf-human communication prosthesis, I was inspired by Thomas Thwaites’ approach, where he sought to understand animal experiences through design.
Similarly, my aim is to create a mental connection between human and wolf, encouraging a sense of coexistence and understanding between species that have shared history. This device allows humans to engage with wolves in a deeper, non-verbal way, reconnecting us to an ancient relationship and fostering a more harmonious bond.
In the last day of the course, inspired by Sophie Calle's work in The Detective, we engaged in a unique exercise where each of us alternated roles between being the observed "subject" and the observant "detective." This exercise mirrored Calle's approach in her project, where she blurred the lines between surveillance and self-discovery by placing herself in situations to be unknowingly followed, thereby investigating her identity through others' perspectives. Acting first as subjects, I experienced the vulnerability and introspection associated with being observed. Then, as detectives, I assumed a different perspective, interpreting another's actions and movements, highlighting the subjectivity and assumptions in observational roles. This dual exercise provided insights into perception, privacy, and the relationship between observer and observed.
In an era where technology, personal identity, and future thinking intersect in novelly, prosthetics have transcended their original function as medical aids. They have become expressions of individuality, catalysts for philosophical exploration, and prototypes for envisioning different modes of being. My journey in developing three prosthetic prototypes explored these possibilities, where technology serves as a platform for examining identity, autonomy, and potential futures.
Each day of the seminar has reflected a new facet of this journey, informed by key thinkers who challenge conventional boundaries. Inspired by Donna Haraway’s concept of “naturecultures,” Dr. Naomi’s emphasis on body autonomy, and Thomas Thwaites’ experimental exploration of non-human perspectives, I sought to use prosthetics not only as functional devices but as embodied expressions of values and hypotheses about future existence. Through this, I navigated ideation as a process of envisioning innovative solutions for adaptation and self-understanding, while probing deeper questions of the human experience.
My first prosthetic project was guided by a foundational question: How can a prosthetic be an extension of identity and agency, rather than merely a tool? Dr. Naomi’s perspective on body modification as a form of self-expression deeply resonated with me. Her advocacy for autonomy in aesthetic choices suggested that prosthetics, too, could serve as personal extensions of one’s identity, empowering individuals to take ownership of their bodies in unique ways.
Experimenting with this prosthetic, even temporarily, redefined my understanding of agency. It altered my physical experience and provided a tangible sense of how modifications can affirm control over one’s body. The device not only functioned as an assistive tool; it became an extension of identity, a tool to recreate communication between individuals, free from cultural barriers and discrimination due to aesthetics.
Following the seminar, I began to see prosthetics as tools for exploring the boundaries of human and non-human perspectives. Donna Haraway’s concept of “nature cultures” led me to consider whether a prosthetic might embody traits inspired by animal behaviors or senses, thereby bridging the gap between species. I asked myself: Could a prosthetic provide insights into different ways of experiencing the world by incorporating non-human perspectives?
This question inspired my second prosthesis, in which I designed a prosthetic informed by certain animalistic traits. The goal was to extend beyond conventional human functions, creating a device that would alter my interaction with the surrounding environment and subsequently collect relative data for future coexistence, particularly with wolves.
Using this prosthetic presented a novel way of interacting with my surroundings. It echoed Thomas Thwaites’ attempt to experience life from a non-human viewpoint in his “Goat Man” experiment. For a brief period, I could engage with the environment in a manner that was less human-centric, with physical adaptations that required a new level of awareness. This experience reinforced Haraway’s ideas, as I recognized that prosthetics could indeed serve as prototypes for adopting new perspectives and embracing other modes of existence. By temporarily inhabiting an altered way of being, I saw how identity and perception can adapt when we extend beyond traditional human boundaries.
Prosthetic revealed the potential to expand our experience of what it means to be human. Through the process, I learned that prosthetics can serve as prototypes for future identities. This experience reinforced my understanding that prosthetics are not merely extensions of the body but powerful instruments for reimagining the human condition.
The journey of creating and integrating these prosthetics has significantly shaped my perspective on identity, agency, and technology’s role in self-expression. In line with Dr. Naomi’s view of cosmetic modifications as exercises in autonomy, I came to see each prosthetic as an embodiment of personal ideals, goals, and evolving values.
Donna Haraway’s concept of the “companion species” resonates deeply with my experience of developing an intimate relationship with these devices. Living with them was an exercise in adaptability and innovation, reflecting the essence of Haraway’s naturecultures. In practical terms, these prosthetics became more than functional tools; they formed a unique connection with life, becoming “companions” that transformed both physical and mental engagement with surroundings.
As I reflected on the societal and ethical implications of prostheses, I became more aware of the liberating potential of prosthetics as forms of identity and creative expression. Prosthetics enable a unique form of autonomy, one that defies traditional norms and allows for a broader range of bodily expressions and perspectives. Through these, I realized the potential for individuals to shape their identities actively, adapting to their unique aspirations and values.
Looking toward the future, I am inspired to continue exploring how prosthetics might be designed to facilitate new forms of interaction, sensory experience, or even interspecies empathy. This journey has shown me the expansive possibilities for “Living with your own ideas” and the liberating potential of seeing prosthetics not only as tools but as active prototypes for imagining future identities.
