The Prosthetic Gaze
Throughout history, the concept of the body has been approached from multiple perspectives and these have varied according to the beliefs and concepts of the different moments. The body is the letter of presentation of our identity, which not only relates to external reality and our peers, but also reveals what our difficulties and shortcomings may be.We all have a body and, at least for the moment, the idea of doing without it is only part of the imaginary of science fiction. Our body is the interface we use to communicate with the world, covering it with clothes, sensors or different devices that allow us to expand our senses, abilities and even equip ourselves with new ones.
When we amplify or alter our senses, we are also altering our perception. Perception is the ability to receive images, impressions or sensations through the senses to know something. We can also define perception as a process by means of which an individual selects, organizes and interprets stimuli in order to attribute meaning to something.
Living beings are equipped with a wide variety of sensors that keep us informed of what is happening in our environment and allow us to respond to various environmental stimuli. But, what is it that the biological sensors of our body collect? What shortcomings do they have? How can we supply or amplify them through the use of technological tools?
The Prosthetic Gaze is about interpersonal communication, the alteration of the senses, the transduction and amplification of these through bodily technological interfaces.An interface, designed to be used by two individuals simultaneously, allows altering the sense of sight and seeing through the eyes of the other.
An action in which the haptic sense acquires the same importance as the sense of sight, since the interface is activated by exchanging the look with that of the other individual when both touch, thus establishing a close and intimate relationship between both .
Project created thanks a grant for artistic creations by Fundación Municipal de Cultura, Educación Universidad Popular. Ayuntamiento de Gijón. Spain