Augmented Diseased Reality (AR)

Research Background: This project and research emerged out by PhD on the topic of the abject/visceral body and its relationship to technology and the contemporary media landscape (the project was not part of my PhD) Research Contribution: My work was selected by curators Malcolm Levy and Kate Armstrong and was exhibited at The International Symposium of Electronic Art in Vancouver. ISEA appears on the list of recognized international venues and the inclusion of my work in this highly prestigious international event on art and technology is noteworthy. Fleshify the World is an AR work which explores how the contemporary media environment can be considered as an extension of our biologies. My research takes this idea into perverse and unique territory and considers if our bodies are being extended by technology, human disease should also be present in these technologies. The work consists of a customized iPad which allows the audience/user to navigate the work around a gallery, whereby AR various markers trigger 3D animations of human disease and animated growths on the iPad. The work further contributes to the research of AR technology by re-configuring the seductive design of the Apple Mac iPad into something that is far body bodily and visceral. Research Significance: My research was seen and engaged with by a large international audience of researchers, artists, curators, critics, scientists and academics and received a great deal of attention. Having my work showcased in a major international event such as ISEA was a highly significant outcome for my research and art practice. The research also resulted in a printed catalogue and also electronic version (ISBN 978-0-9878354-2-0) with essays by the curators (information on my work appears on page 70)