Crit presentation/pics/videos 16.02.23
- Aldous George
- Feb 15, 2023
- 2 min read
(From my essay: Art: The Reality Machine)
In this geological time where the actions and practices of a technologically advancing human existence are accelerating climate change and prompting ethical debate about augmenting humans, I have grave concerns that the Anthropocene along with a transhumanistic outlook could be the downfall of humanity or at least strip us of our ‘being human’ as we know it at present. I feel that humanity is embarking on a transitionary period of allowing technological revolutions and advancement coupled with transhumanistic goals of becoming an advanced superhuman to potentially damage our ecological existence with nature and the planet.
There will potentially be an irreversible evolutionary emergence of a transhumanistic posthuman which could endanger what it means to be human and our environment. I would like to use this essay to encourage our connection to nature and a rekindling of passing on fundamental life skills and knowledge. In short, I have concerns about the possible Icarus effect of pursuing transhumanism, where failure is possibly brought about by the very elements that will lead to an initial success. Both art and nature will be ever more important in addressing these issues and prompting debate and thought. Artists and contemporary philosophers such as Timothy Morton are playing a major role in helping the world acknowledge that we need more careful consideration about where humanity is heading and bring about change.
Once upon a time in Finland, there were little forest spirits who could put spells on people who were too noisy or treated the forest with disrespect. The victims would experience a condition called metsanpietto, which translates as being “covered by the forest.” - Florence Williams (Williams, F. 2018)
My work is exploratory, embodied and powerfully performative, using my sculpture as subject and sounds from my materials and tools as well as from nature, augmented by manufacturing techniques to stretch the limits and senses of the human to create an audio joyride of visual imagery. My culminating work for my MA will consist of sculpture and moving image that has evolved to represent transhumanism, and now embraces my message to reconnect with nature, or is it nature rewilding humanity?
Back in the summer, I started casting my body in preparation for creating a full body sculpture of some sort.
Beginning of thinking about sculpture and the logistics of holding it up.
Recent video of sculpture progress:
Recent pics of sculpture progress:
Mini Sculpture:
Mini sculpture stop frame:
Film visual moving storyboard:
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