Neil Harbisson is a pioneer in the world of cyborgs, being the first person recognized as such. Born in London in 1984 to an Irish father and a Catalan-German mother, he overcame achromatopsia with an antenna that is now a part of his body, allowing him to „hear colors.“ This unique ability creates a form of synesthesia, where he can perceive colors through sound. Despite facing challenges with the authorities, he successfully had his new organ recognized in his passport photo in 2004. His story has captivated audiences worldwide, from Totnes in the UK to the rest of the world. Harbisson is the founder of the Cyborg Foundation and the Transpecies Society, and he collaborates with the renowned restaurant El Celler de Can Roca. In an interview with VIA Empresa at the Cornellà Creació Fòrum, Harbisson delves into how technology has transformed the color of his life, expressing that he feels increasingly less human as a result.
When asked about being recognized as the first cyborg, Harbisson downplays the significance, stating that it was never his intention to be labeled as such. He recounts the struggles he faced in getting his passport renewed due to the electronic device attached to his body, which was eventually accepted as an organ. Despite the sensationalism surrounding the term „cyborg,“ Harbisson acknowledges that it has become a part of his identity over time.
Harbisson highlights the disconnect between governments and technology, noting that politicians often view technology as a futuristic concept when it is already a part of our present reality. He emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset towards embracing technological advancements and integrating them into our daily lives.
Explaining his ability to „hear colors,“ Harbisson describes how his sensory organ translates color vibrations into internal sounds that he perceives. This unique sense allows him to experience colors beyond the visible spectrum, including infrared and ultraviolet hues. He details the learning process involved in differentiating between the various color vibrations and how his brain interprets these signals.
Harbisson delves into the concept of cyborg art, where the artist, the artwork, the space, and the audience merge into a singular entity. He describes it as a form of post-art where the boundaries between creator and creation blur, existing solely within the realm of perception. This art form, known as perceptionism, aims to create new ways of experiencing and interpreting reality.
Discussing the evolution of human identity, Harbisson predicts a future where individuals can choose to enhance their senses and organs through technology, blurring the lines between human and machine. He introduces the concept of transpecies, where individuals may not fully identify as human due to their technological enhancements, leading to a new form of diversity and self-expression.
Harbisson’s work with the Cyborg Foundation and the Transpecies Society focuses on creating new senses and organs in a communal setting. Through projects like the New Sense Lab, individuals from diverse backgrounds collaborate to explore and reveal hidden realities that lie beyond human perception. This innovative approach challenges traditional notions of reality and opens up new possibilities for human experience.
In his quest to push the boundaries of perception, Harbisson reveals his plans for a thermal organ that will allow him to sense the passage of time. By incorporating this new sense into his body, he aims to manipulate his perception of time, drawing inspiration from Einstein’s theories on relativity. This ambitious project exemplifies Harbisson’s commitment to exploring the intersection of technology and human experience.
Overall, Neil Harbisson’s journey as a cyborg artist and activist sheds light on the transformative power of technology in shaping our identities and perceptions. Through his pioneering work, he challenges societal norms and invites us to reconsider the boundaries of human potential in an increasingly technologically driven world.