Stumbled across Stelarc by chance as he was giving an interview to some German TV channel. i hadn't seen his work before and wasn't familiar with the use of "body modification" for any purpose other than to help the alienated youth of america try to define them.

Stelarc's work definitely challenges our sensibilities and what we see as acceptable within society and art but doesn’t seem to have any real clear vision of what he aims to achieve. During his seminar he was very good at spitting out sound bites and working the crowd, but when challenged on some issues failed to provide any real or meaningful answers suggesting it was a rather scripted performance.

Stelarc had real idea of the direction in which his work was heading and if you look at his previous works and performances, although the initial idea may have been fairly unique and quirky the subsequent follow up material was almost formulaic in its logic rather undermining the conceptual element. First a sculpture in the body, then a sculpture of the body out of the body (blender), and large portions of his performance work have followed this rather binary pattern of development.

His implied claim to have furthered the cause of technology doesn't seem to have much credence either as his work has tended to jump onto an already rolling band wagon (electro-stimulation of nerves) and walking robots.

Great shock value, not quite sure about his place within the world of art.

Check the Transmediale07 photogroup on flickr for pics