While innovation in these areas offers amazing possibilities, it also poses questions and presents challenges to our beliefs and values.
'Future U' explores what it means to be human in the 21st century and beyond. The exhibition examines the increasingly urgent questions of what makes humans unique, and our place in the world in a time of accelerated technologies.
Developments in artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology are challenging deeply held beliefs and notions of what it is to be human. As machines reveal themselves to be capable of surpassing human capacity, the aspects that make us human must be reconsidered.
We applaud technology for its ability to prolong our lives, and yet we also mistrust it and fear its capacity to take away our usefulness and unique abilities as humans. 'Future U' presents creative responses by RMIT’s own researchers, alongside local and international practitioners who explore the impacts of rapid technological change.
Curators
Jonathan Duckworth and Evelyn Tsitas.
Exhibiting RMIT staff and students
Jonathan Duckworth, Associate Professor, Digital Design, School of Design
Peter Ellis, Associate Professor and Studio Leader in Painting, School of Art
Alexi Freeman, Practice Based Research Masters, School of Design
Dr Pia Interlandi, Senior Lecturer, School of Fashion and Textiles
Full list of exhibiting artists, designers and researchers
Bettina von Arnim (GER), Holly Block (AU), Karen Casey (AU), Duckworth Hullick Duo (AU), Peter Ellis (AU), Jake Elwes (UK), Alexi Freeman (AU), Libby Heaney (UK), Leah Heiss (AU), Pia Interlandi (AU), Amy Karle (US), Mario Klingemann (GER), Zhuying Li (CH), Christian Mio Loclair (GER), Maina-Miriam Munsky (GER), Patricia Piccinini (SL/ AU), Stelarc (AU), Uncanny Valley (AU), and Deborah Wargon (AU).
RMIT Gallery would like to thank the Goethe-Institut for their support of this exhibition.
Image credit: Patricia Piccinini, Teenage Metamorphosis, 2016. Silicone, fibreglass, human hair, found objects, edition 1 of 3, 1 AP. Image courtesy of Tolarno Galleries.