Superhuman, a recent exhibition at the Wellcome Trust, explored the topic of Human Enhancement from it's early origins to the present day, with Matthew Barney's Cremaster Cycle films being showcased in the exhibition due to the groundbreaking casting of Mullins. The film not only showed how technology for creating prosthetics has developed, but also conveyed the idea of the science as an art form.
In Cremaster 3, Mullins is seen wearing several
sets of prosthetic legs. These range from the 'Blades' worn for the
Paralympics, to a pair, which give her the appearance of a half woman/half
Cheetah. The depiction of Mullins wearing these different sets of prosthetics,
and evolving into a different character with each one gave her the appearance
of a Superhuman, with super powers. This obviously reflects on Barney's interest
in the creation of the human body, and also his interest in Mythology,
especially in the scene where Mullins appears to have morphed into a Cheetah. Not
only is he showcasing this wonderful woman as an example of success and beauty,
he is celebrating the technology that has helped her succeed as an amputee, and
transforming it's reputation from not only being known as a medical aid, but to
also being appreciated as a work of art.
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