From: Natasha V. More (fka Nancie Clark) (flexeon@primenet.com)
Date: Sat Mar 15 1997 - 11:38:57 MST
I think that Gregory Houston responded to Sarah's post with great skill and
erudition.
Also, some of Sarah's questions are answered, briefly yet cogently, in the
Transhumanist and Extropic Art FAQ which can be read at my URL. Here I have
stated by degrees how art can be considered extropic by the creative author
as well as the audience.
Further, (and just a brief backtrack) Johnny had a problem with silicon and
I think that has been dealt with quite efficiently. We learned that there is
a difference between silicon and silicone, etc-; I wouldn't say the
suggestion was inept: it was not appropriate for flexible skin, but was
appropriate for a stiff armour.
In discussions with my brothers (a plastic reconstructive surgeon and a
internal medicine expert), I have been advised by their research of the
development of and future interest in designing synthetic skins, where
polymers are used.
Now, to add to Gregory Houston's response, and to answer questions about the
intent, articulation (rhetoric) of an artist (and this includes
cross-disciplines), the following phrases I wrote define extropic art:
Extropic art is produced by:
"coalescing imagination and reason, challenging all limits."
*Reason* is paramount.
With the direction of:
"...exploring how current and future technologies affect our senses, our
cognition and our lives. Our attention to and comprehension of these
relationships become fields of art as we participate in the most immediate
and vital issues for transhumanity ..."
Paying attention to what sciences and technologies will help us to achieve
our transhuman goals. Our comprehension means our *knowledge.*
And,
"...utilizing high-end creativity, engineering skills, scientific data, and
automated tools to author ..."
This sums up the former: Using creativity and reason while paying attention
to and developing a knowledge of the science and technology that will help
us to achieve our transhuman goals.
Also:
"We have no interest in focusing on self-defeating thinking or entropy."
How we develop ideas determines the integrity of our work.
Now, with the above information as the starting point for creative work,
there is a continuous balance, just as there is in life and with every
decision that we make, whether *art* or not. Placing a censorship on art is
like placing a censorship on life and your own values. Are you not the
judge of what you deem to best represent you and your actions? Just as in
science, one would like to be known as an authentic and reliable source of
knowledge, an artist down the same, especially a scientist who sees his work
as art. (State of the art?)
Natasha Vita More [fka Nancie Clark]
http://www.primenet.com/~flexeon
Extropic Art Manifesto!: http://www.primenet.com/~flexeon/extropic.htm
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