About the Artist
Rob Harle is an artist, writer and researcher. His academic work involves research into the philosophy of Transhumanism, Artificial Intelligence and the nature of Embodiment. He recently abandoned a PhD in philosophy concerned with the relationship of human consciousness with an all-integrating field of matter, to instead develop his digital art work.
His art practice now concentrates solely on digital-computer generated images both for the web and archival quality, giclée works on paper and canvas. Writing work includes scholarly book and film reviews, academic essays and experimental poetry. These are published in numerous journals, magazines, books and online. His formal academic studies comprise, Philosophy of Mind, Comparative Religion, Architecture and Psychotherapy. Rob’s main concern has been to explore and document the radical changes that technology is bringing about. He has coined the term technoMetamorphosis to describe this. Artwork, Biography and selected writings are available from his web sites: www.robharle.com, www.harliart.net.
Artist’s Statement
“I see my artwork as a kind of documentation of the technoMetamorphosis. From 1994 to 2002 my sculpture and image work give way to academic study. Much of this came under the heading Philosophy of Mind, from these studies an interest in what I call, the technoMetamorphosis of humanity has evolved. This is both a terrifying and exhilarating process.
Health problems no longer allow the creation of sculpture of any size, so my new work consists of digital images – some are created entirely with the computer, others a manipulation of my original photographs and sculptures using various computer programs and techniques. These explore my concerns about our cyborg, transhuman and posthuman future. Human beings are balancing on the edge of a truly new abyss. Through genetic, chemical and computer engineering we have to decide what we will become.
The old myths perpetuated by bureaucratic-authoritarian religious organizations, Newtonian style reductionist, non-holistic scientific investigation, and messianic, capitalist economic policy represent unsustainable practices and ideologies, which if continued, will bring about the extinction of humanity. I try to create a dynamic tension in my images between being human and the technology we create. The essence of my work is perfectly described by Dollens, “his images have a narrative quality that interlocks the technical and metaphysical creating a space of oscillating dialogue giving them depth and mystery”.
I hope my new work will evoke in others an increased awareness of the ramifications of our fledgling technoMetamorphosis.”
Art Works
Our latest discoveries of the “field” (matrix) and Bucky Balls (geodesic multi-faceted molecules) are observed by Plato, who hinted at such “eternal Forms in the universal Matrix” some 2,500 years ago.
Cyborgs or Humanoids (evolved from humans) situated in their own dimension (an electronic/digital matrix) are discussing the complexity and importance of geodesic multi-faceted molecules.
Cyborgs or Androids (evolved from we present humans) observe the death of the planet from the after effects of a nuclear war.
Digital Visitation Shows a Madonna like figure (nurturing spiritual mother) manifesting within an artificially created environment (electronic/digital matrix). I often include the Moon or Saturn to allude to an existence greater than our myopic Earth-centric view.
Two wise old human “elders” sit as guardians “outside” the nanoworld, warning us that we may be very smart but perhaps not very wise. This work brings attention to the burgeoning nano-technology industry and its potential dangers.
Rob Harle is an artist, writer and researcher. www.robharle.com, www.harliart.net.
