"STEPHAN ERASMUS: the god prosthetic"
1999-11-02 until 1999-11-26
JHB CIVIC GALLERY
Johannesburg, , ZA South Africa

Freud stated that any tool we create becomes an extension of our own bodies. These tools become prosthetics in our attempts to become more powerful, more god-like. The god prosthetic becomes an environment where some mad scientist has attempted to create a perfect human being. The installation is made up of a working space and a laboratory. The working space contains the remains of the research that the scientist has investigated as well as the leftovers of the working process. The working process is a mixture of science, religion, alchemy, chaos & order, male & female, sanity & insanity, yin & yang. The laboratory contains several machines that are being used in the creation of the 'perfect' human being.

The work takes a look at (in)human evolution, by drawing on science, religion and science fiction.

The work becomes important in modern society, if one looks at the vital role that technology plays in our world. For instance, the ability to talk to people on the other side of the world in real time, the ability to see the unseen (microscopes, telescopes, satellites and so on) and the ability to change the human body before it is even born via genetic engineering.

This exhibition does not take a stand on this inhuman evolution. Rather, it aims to make people aware of what is happening.

This exhibition continues the mission of the JHB Civic Gallery to support and encourage young, emerging, South African artists.

For further information contact Justine Lipson

(011) 403-3408 or fax (011) 403-3412

JHB Civic Gallery, Civic Theatre Foyer, Loveday Street

Box 31900, Braamfontein, 2017

E-mail: civic@theatrekom.co.za / New Website: artslink.co.za/civic

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for South Africa

Other Important Exhibitions in South Africa