TRANSHUMANISM - Joanna Grochowska

JOANNA GROCHOWSKA

TRANSHUMANISM: WHAT FUTURE DO WE WANT? WHAT MUST WE DO TO GET THERE?”

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Posthumans, superhumans surpassing biological limitations, creatures that are not defined by bodily structures transgressing traditions and singularity in the name of identity.

Although we are bombarded by fictional characters from a distant future where technology has taken over- many times presenting it in a post apocalyptic environment, we are much closer and affected then we ever thought, and Joanna Grochowska’s transgressive figures are the answer to a post generational beauty definitely adding to the desire of becoming a limitless being.

After unveiling her project 'Opening the Future' in Munich in 2021, Grochowska recently debuted her latest exhibition, 'Transhumanism,' at Verbeeck - Van Dyck Gallery in Antwerp, Belgium. Embracing the 'Posthuman' Philosophy and influenced  by Jeffrey Deitch's manifesto, she champions a new art form tailored for a novel breed of human. With masterful skill, she navigates the intricate terrain of the post and transhuman figure, leveraging morphological freedom to redefine identity itself. Through her work, she prompts us to ponder the very essence of humanity in an age of unprecedented technological advancement.

Following Stefan Lorenz Sorgner, transhumanism is often widely misunderstood, largely due to the exaggerated portrayal of current technologies by the media and contemporary culture. What is, in reality, an advancement for the human race is branded as dangerous, leading many to speculate that hybrid humans may soon walk among us and that immortality could be achieved through mind-uploading. And Grochowska’s figures support this ideal.

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Static yet full of dynamism, dominant posing, exposing their bare selves, the artist is creating a visual archive of the future via a hyper-realistic digital imagery. Using the human body as both a tool and a raw material, Grochowska transforms it into a canvas upon which the lines between the natural and the artificial blur. Each image serves as a testament to the malleability of the human form, symbolising the potential for augmentation, genetic modification, and transcendence. Through her art, she embodies the fusion of human ingenuity and scientific innovation, envisioning a future where biological limitations are surpassed and new horizons are explored. The works serve as food for thought on  the implications of these advancements,  prompting reflection on the essence of humanity in an ever-evolving technological landscape.

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Prompting a fundamental re-evaluation of our ethical frameworks and moral compasses, as we navigate the complexities of an increasingly interconnected world. Grochowska’s figures stand on the precipices of this technological revolution, confronting these existential questions head-on, contemplating the future of gender, body, and identity, both in the realm of scientific progress and the ethical choices we make as a society. 

In the words of Stelarc, ‘philosophy of Posthuman Art impressively examines the aesthetics of the monstrous, of hybridity, of smoothness and of the amorphous [...] It is a time when we transition from the ontology of Being to the ontology of Becoming….’ and Grochowska’s artificially idealized creatures are in the’ liminal age of the hybrid and the chimera’

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However, Grochowska's  exploration extends far beyond a mere juxtaposition of human and technological elements; it embodies a profound reflection on the evolving relationship between the two.

The works pay particular attention to the fluidity of gender, with many of her works portraying the body post-sex reassignment surgery. Each piece deliberately integrates elements of incongruity, distortion, and subtle disturbance, challenging viewers to engage in introspection and question their preconceived notions.

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Yet, her approach is not one of mere aesthetic indulgence; it is purposeful and evocative, serving as a catalyst for contemplation on themes of pleasure, pain, and beauty. Through her art, Grochowska invites us to embark on a journey of introspection, urging us to confront our perceptions and biases. Her work prompts reflection on the fluidity of identity and the complexities of the human experience and serves as a poignant reminder of the profound interplay between the physical, the emotional, and the technological realms, inviting us to explore the depths of our own consciousness.

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Joanna Grochowska’s Transhumanism exhibition is scheduled to run from February 18th to March 17th, 2024, at the Galerie Verbeeck – Van Dyck in Antwerp, Belgium.

For additional details, visit Joanna Grochowska’s website or explore her Instagram account @facelesshumanforms.

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Biography

Joanna Grochowska is a contemporary artist exploring transhumanism and human enhancement technologies. Her work contributes to the dialogue about morphological freedom and the future. The conceptual basis of her art are the notions of Transgression and Singularity.

The dominant theme is the transhuman and posthuman figurativeness. She received the MFA from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw; an alumna of the Jewish Open University of Shalom Foundation, Poland; member of the Humanity+ organization. Patron of the Zacheta National Gallery of Art in Warsaw and the Frist Art Museum in Nashville, Tennessee.

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