Second Nature

This issue of Second Nature focuses on issues raised by the Super Human Symposium held in Melbourne, Victoria at the BMW Edge at Federation Square on 23 – 24 November 2009. The journal publishes most of the papers and projects presented at the symposium and extends the discussion with independent projects, reviews and articles. (more…)

A few years ago, I was of the view that collaborative art/science research and practice was moving away from a focus on the body and towards a larger canvas: life itself, the environment, the future. I was wrong. (more…)

Abstract: In The Embodied Mind: Cognitive Science and Human Experience, Francisco Varela, Evan Thompson and Eleanor Rosch argue that our perception of a given colour is not only relative to its environment but to the continuous interaction between the human perceptual system and its environment. (more…)

Abstract: Medical visual representations, including computer-generated simulations, are placed pivotally at the juncture of science, medicine, visual representations and society. (more…)

Abstract: This illustrated essay looks at objects/bodies within anatomical museums where the boundaries between art and science are problematic and fascinating: bones formed into the shape of flowers; animal bronchial trees staged as if they were plants; dried human preparations astride galloping horses; wax women and children of haunting beauty and mesmerising terror. (more…)

Abstract: In the 21st century, as our individual agency, cognition and subjectivity extends into, and through, our prosthetic digital technologies, the human subject is increasingly constituted as an assemblage of human-computer-communications networks. (more…)

Abstract: As the technological capability of robots increases and interactions between humans and robots become more complex, it is important for researchers to consider the potential for an emotional connection to exist between a human and a robot. (more…)

Abstract: In this paper we explore the nature of embodied interaction and play within the context of designing an interactive art system for movement rehabilitation. (more…)

Abstract: The aim of this artist presentation is to discuss the building of the Chameleon Project. It will be built over two years (2008-2010), and through ten prototypes with a cross-disciplinary group of an artist, social neuroscientist, emotion neuroscientist, affective computer scientists, technologists, human computer interaction scientists and a curator. (more…)

Humans. I can go on forever wondering about them. In my mind I zoom out as far as possible to see the shape of Humanity. I turn it on its sides to understand its dimensions, what it stands on. I think of the shape of Humanity, about the edges and boundaries of the collective human psyche. What is the core of the Human self? If we can potentially conceive of a shape to Humanity, how does its shape affect its movement. (more…)