Prosthesis in Design and Art

Abstract

In this paper we present the relationship between prosthetic limbs of the human body members in the context of design and art. Since ancient times, human beings have solved the problems of amputation of their limbs through prostheses, which have evolved technologically throughout history, affecting the relationship of these people with society. In the digital context, these prostheses gain a sophistication, which begin to match or even surpass the replaced biological parts themselves. Thus, the performance of runners like Oscar Pistorius, or climbers like Hug Herr, who seem to have their potential expanded with the use of prostheses, becomes controversial. The image of the cyborg begins to become increasingly present in our daily lives. We approach this theme here, in the context of art, from two points of view. The first being art in design prosthesis, when they present a design with an aesthetic that goes beyond its utilitarian function, and the second, prosthesis in art, with artists with amputated limbs, who continue their artistic production, due to these technologies and with artists, although without physical problems, the prosthesis is placed as a poetic element.