Split of senses:

The perception of a “functioning” human being is controlled by the senses – all of them at once. Separating these senses is “only” practiced within certain professions. Separating these senses with technical tools allows one to focus on one sense separately. To focus on one sense allows observing with intense focus. Splitting senses is a split of the body – split by technical device, transformed into data and projected in a screen to make them accessible again.  Split of senses and digitizing these senses creates possibility of multiplication and accessibility to ones sense. In the process the Controller can deal with this taken, transformed and given sense. In this version of Human Tool it’s the sense of sight. The Controller can only react to this projected sense of the Tool.

Is a human being able to function if one of his senses has been removed all of a sudden? Is it possible to control a human being with one sense? (receiving one sense Sight -and provide another Hearing)

Human as tool

Out of Industrialization (modernization) arise tools to simplify and automate processes. The human hand is reduced to be a controller of a toll. The relation between the worker (who is now a tool) and the controller (who is now a technician or simply worker) becomes a relation without relation. The controller does not need to deal with emotions but with technical ability, function and dysfunction.

In exchanging the worker (machine) with a human in the form of a painting process (Human = painting tool/Avatar). There is either a step backwards in mechanical history or a step forward into what might happen (future).

The human automatic of movement, routine and action will be exaggerated by transformation of command. The human (tool) reacts to the commands of the controller. The human gains “character traits” of the machine: functioning by command.

Human without agency:

In a society with preset options even if the options seem to be fairly unlimited the act of behaving and interacting with the environment within the society becomes automatic and prearranged. The more choices the more one loses agency over oneself. A society is the puppeteer of the “individual” and in the case of this a project the Controller is the puppeteer of the Tool the human puppet.

How did it work?

We connected Jonas' (humantool) head to a webcam. Projected the webcam into a seperate room where Franick(controller) was located. And Franick told Jonas through a microphone and headphones what to do and how to move....

Jonas:

A 26 year old professional trumpet player. We thought he would be the perfect tool as he has to follow comands by the conductor through his hearing, transforming these comands into physical action.

Franick:

A 27 year old artist and film maker. Franick is a very expressive person. His gestures and vocal expressions are almost paintaly.

here is a 15 min cut of the whole experiment which took about 2 hours.

(about 30mb)