The Somewhat Ambitious

Performance art is a… cryptic field. The man in the picture above is none other than Stelarc, Australia’s finest performance art export. In case you can’t work out exactly what’s happening, each of those rocks is attached to a wire, which is attached to a hook, which is attached to Stelarc. Yes, that’s right, the hooks are DRIVEN THROUGH HIS FLESH AND USED TO SUSPEND HIM IN THE AIR. Apparently, some people do this for fun. I like having a beer with friends, but you know, each to their own.

Stelarc doesn’t do too many flesh hook suspensions these days. Apparently 25 performances was quite enough. Wuss. But he’s still kept himself busy. For instance, just last year he grew an ear on his left forearm. Which is probably a little ahead of the fashion cycle, but still, good on him. And now he’s descended further into the world of out and out creepiness with this reactive spider robot. It’s equipped with an ultrasound sensor, and whenever someone walks nearby it rears up and looks fucking terrifying. Then it pounces into action and devours the unsuspecting gallery patron. That last bit may be a lie.

You know, why anyone still bothers with painting is beyond me.

- Luke