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Further into Imperfecta Living Curiosities: Agency and Exploitation of the Teratological Body Curiosity draws us to the monstrous. But seeing is believing: whether in a book, a museum, or in a show, for centuries people have flocked to see “monsters” for themselves. In the 19th century, many people born with non-normative bodies performed as “freaks” in circus sideshows. Circuses became a sensation and they served as a forerunner to the modern entertainment industry. This exhibit explores the lives of the performers and showmen whose livelihoods depended on the public’s curiosity about seeing wondrous bodies for themselves. Seeing is Believing: Visualizing the Teratological Body When it comes to the wondrous, seeing is believing. From this page, you can explore some of the ways that “monsters” have been depicted over the centuries. Woodcuts in early modern texts, preservation in medical museums, and photography all have been used to display people. These technologies allowed one person’s image to travel across the world and allowed their subjects to “survive” beyond death. What Does It Mean to be "Other?" What does it mean to be a “monster?” What does it mean to be “normal?” These are not objective categories. They have changed meaning throughout history as people have become exposed to a wider diversity of nature, people, and ideas. From this path, you can explore some types of “Otherness” that have, throughout history, challenged apparently objective categories and shaped the direction of science.

Historical Views of Prosthetic Users

Although specific perceptions of prosthetics users have varied wildly through time, the same underlying questions raised by their use have persisted: How do societies provide for those in need of a prosthetic device? Is the loss of a limb overcome by technology or willpower? What does it mean for our humanity when we can replace our bodies?

This talk explores these questions and others through examples of historical figures, folk heroes, fictional archetypes and socioeconomic methodologies while examining our underlying fears and hopes surrounding limb loss and prosthetic use.

Seth Kane, is a founding member of New Flesh Co. and currently serves as CEO and lead designer. Mr. Kane has over a decade of experience in industrial design, prototype development, manufacturing and biomedical engineering. He has also served as lecturer and a science and technology instructor for children and adults.

New Flesh Co, is a biohacker collective and consultancy that develops biomedical devices, open-source prosthetics, and wearable technologies, backed by an interdisciplinary group of biotechnologists, designers, engineers, fine artists, and medical professionals. New Flesh Co. also provides Art, Technology and Manufacturing courses to children and adults.

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