Stelarc is a performance artist who explores the capabilities of the human body.

“All of my projects explore alternate anatomical architectures — a body with a third hand, or an extra ear, or an artwork inside a bodily space instead of a public space,” he says. “We are biological bodies, but we are often accelerated, augmented, and enhanced by technology. There may be a time soon when bodies become portals of sensory experience. I might be able to see with your eyes when you are in New York, for example, or listen with someone’s ears from London.

“In 1000 years’ time, perhaps technology will be invisible because it will be inside our bodies. We will be able to recolonize the human body with micromachines, nanosensors, and nanobots that augment our bacterial and viral population….

“One future project is to engineer an insect-like microrobot that can climb up my tongue and into my mouth. It will have a webcam and an LED on-board so we will be able to stream the images live on the Internet.”

Stelarc’s work is featured at the GV Art gallery in London until September 24.