The Anatomy of the Automata: From Body to Machine
In partnership with Mamco In Geneva, the UM and La Panacée have joined forces for a hybrid exhibition running through February 28. Now more than ever, ambiguity surrounds the status of the human body, whose identity is being challenged by technological advances that continually push the boundaries of what is “humanly possible.”
Whether it promises a bright future or a nightmare in the making, the question remains open—though it is by no means a new one. From the “mechanical man” conceptualized by René Descartes to the “augmented human” of the transhumanist movement, human beings have constantly questioned their unique nature in light of their relationship to the mechanics of objects.
Man and His Double
In the age of cyborgs and artificial intelligence, are we witnessing a shift from a strictly utilitarian relationship to a new form of otherness—or even a reversal of the balance of power? Is there not a risk that humanity’s uniqueness will be diluted until it becomes nothing more than a substitute, “the ultimate illusion of a natural identity,” as suggested by Christian Bernard, director of Mamco in Geneva and curator of the exhibition?
Distinguishing between the human and the inanimate, between conscious action and programmed reflex, seems increasingly difficult in an age when organic beings and machines are merging.
Building on this observation of the blurring of a boundary that is more fluid than ever, the exhibition *Anatomy of the Automaton* explores this duality, which has fueled philosophical debates and controversies since the17th century. By juxtaposing contemporary artworks, anatomical specimens from the UM, archival collections, and robots from the LIRMM (Montpellier Laboratory of Computer Science, Robotics, and Microelectronics), the exhibition offers a condensed history of the ambivalent relationship between humans and their mechanical doubles.
Bringing together the arts, sciences, and heritage is the ambition of this exhibition, which will also feature “perspective tours” bringing visitors face-to-face with UM researchers, who will share their “scientific” perspective on the exhibition. Artists, for their part, will offer an offbeat take on the Anatomy Conservatory, a jewel of the university’s heritage.
Workshops for young audiences and numerous educational activities will be part of this exhibition, which runs from November 21 to February 28.
- Exhibition & Resource Center: November 21 – February 28
- Wednesday through Saturday, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- www.lapanacee.org
- Free admission
- La Panacée Café
- Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- THE PANACEA
- Contemporary Arts Center
- 14 Rue de l’Ecole de Pharmacie – 34000 Montpellier
- Tel: +33(0)4 34 88 79 79 – www.lapanacee.org