The 'Improved' Body: animals & humans

The 'Improved' Body: animals & humans

Vol 22 no 1, 2002


The implications of the new biotechnology for the human body and for the future of the species is visualised. Recent revelations that genetic makeup of animals is much closer to humans than was previously thought and possibilitues of trans-species hybridity is no longer just the stuff of myth or science fiction. Artists ask: how do we feel about becoming even closer to the animals we share the planet with? Current trends in surgery for transgender and cosmetic changes challenge notions of bodily identity. Writers include WJT Mitchell (Chicago) on Biocybernetics, George Alexander on Julie Rrap, Victoria Ryan on cosmetic surgery and art, Jane Goodall on Ella Dreyfus, Bronwyn Platten on bestiality, Anne Quain on transgenic pets.Also beautifully illustrated features on the works of Monika Tichacek, Sharon Goodwin, Michele Barker, Lynne Roberts-Goodwin, Juan Ford, Stelarc, Ionat Zurr and Oron Catts, Ray Cook, Helen Kundicevic, John Kelly, Jane Trengove, Stephen Holland and Tiffany Parbs.


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NAVA - National Association for the Visual Arts



You are here » Artlink » Vol 22 no 1, 2002 » Animal Love and Bestiality

Animal Love and Bestiality

Artist: Ms Bronwyn Platten, feature

Bestiality has been a theme in Bronwyn Platten's recent work, with the exhibition The Museum of Love and Romance presents: "The Big Horse and other stories..." at South Australia's Contemporary Art Centre, including works which negotiated this concept. Imagery and ideas for the exhibition were drawn from Platten's extensive research into collections of erotic art in Japan, China, America and the United Kingdom during 2001. This text explores the complex, contradictory and perplexing nature of bestiality and attempts to explain why, despite its status as taboo, it remains a subject worthy of exploration.



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