| Listening to the mind at play | ||
|---|---|---|
| Contextual map | Visual reference | Generative process |
| Artists A - Z | Artwork A - Z | Key content |
| Audience participation | Social setting | Research process |
| Title: |
| Third Hand |
| Artist(s): |
| Stelarc |
| Brief description of the work: |
| The third hand performances used mainly EMG signals (muscle stimulation) from other parts of Stelarc's body to control a third hand. |
| Materials, dimensions, duration: |
| "The artificial hand [...] is capable of independent motion, being activated by the EMG signals of the abdominal and leg muscles. It has a pinch-release, grasp-release, 290 degree wrist rotation ( clockwise and anti-clockwise ) and a tactile feedback system for a rudimentary "sense of touch". Whilst the body activates its extra manipulator, the real left arm is remote-controlled / jerked into action by two muscle stimulators. Electrodes positioned on the flexor muscles and biceps curl the fingers inwards, bend the wrist and thrust the arm upwards." (Stelarc online) |
| Location (venue & dates, public/ private): |
|
Third Hand Project (1976-81) was shown in Tokyo, Yokohama and Nagoya, later on Third hand was included in many of Stelarc's performances (see further context) |
| Audience information (size, mode of participation): |
| The audience is confronted with the manipulated body of the performer and contemplates its cyborgian 'enhancement'. |
| Other information (reviews, collaborators, funders): |
| - |
| Floorplan, scheme: |
|
| Visual/ audio-visual reference: |
photo S. Hunter
|
| Key theme(s): |
| Intense engagement with a body; intense awareness of physical presence; endurance |
| Further context: |
|
Between 1970-1994 Stelarc also worked with other biofeedback data inputs such as EEG, ECG, EMG and bloodflow. More recent Third Hand performances: 1992 THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE SHOW "Graft / Replicate: Event
for Virtual Arm and Third Hand" 15 July - World Congress Centre;
Melbourne, Australia. 1992 1992 EXPLORATIONS "Event for Video Robot, Involuntary Arm and Third
Hand" 29, 30 October - La Mama; Melbourne, Australia. 1992 1993 CYBERFORMERS "Event for Amplified Body, Involuntary Arm and Third Hand" 13 April - Palais X-tra; Zurich, Switzerland. 1993 LE CORPS AMPLIFIE "Actuate / Rotate: Event for Virtual Body and Third Hand" 1994 AUGMENTED BODY "Event for Involuntary Arm and Third Hand" 11 March - Galerie Donguy; Paris, France. 1995 PADUA BIENNALE (OLTRA LA SCULTURA Performance: "Involuntary Body / Third Hand" 23 November - Oratoria delle Maddalene; Padua, Italy. 1996 RELAY Performance : "Involuntary Body / Third Hand" 14 February - Artspace, Auckland, N.Z. |