Stelarc

Stelarc, born Stelios Arcadiou in Limassol, Cyprus in 1946, is a media and performance artist internationally recognized for his innovative work. For several decades, he has explored the interface between humans and technology, radically exploring the notion of the cyborg—a hybrid fusion of human and machine.

After studying at Monash University and the University of Melbourne, Stelarc attracted attention with groundbreaking performances that integrate prosthetics, robotics, virtual reality, and the internet. His works challenge the physical and psychological limitations of the human body and show how technology can expand its capabilities. Stelarc is internationally recognized for projects such as »Third Hand,« a mechanical third hand controlled by leg muscles, or the experimental »Scale Ear,« an artificial ear grown from human cells. Stelarc has performed over 27 Suspension Performances, in which he suspended his body from hooks to challenge gravity and explore the body's pain threshold.

Stelarc's work has been exhibited worldwide, including in Europe, the United States, Japan, China, and Australia. He has been a visiting professor and researcher at renowned institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University and the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. Among his numerous awards are the Golden Nica from the Ars Electronica Festival (2010) and several honorary doctorates.