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'Human+' exhibit explores the future of humanity

Held at the ArtScience Museum in Singapore, "Human+" envisions a world full of cyborgs, bio-modification and genetic engineering.

Aloysius Low
Aloysius Low is a Senior Editor at CNET covering mobile and Asia. Based in Singapore, he loves playing Dota 2 when he can spare the time and is also the owner-minion of two adorable cats.
Aloysius Low
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What will it be like in a future dominated by artificial intelligence, robots and augmented bodies? That's the question asked by the "Human+ The Future of Our Species" exhibit from Singapore's ArtScience museum.

The new exhibit is typical of the museum's shows featuring an intriguing blend of technology and art. CNET got a chance to tour the grounds and here are the some of the fascinating displays from the exhibition.

"Human+ The Future of Our Species"will run from May 20 to Oct. 15. If you're visiting Singapore, you'll definitely want to check it out.

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"Propel: Body on Robot Arm"

The first thing you'll see is a giant screen showing artist Stelarc's "Propel: Body on Robot Arm." In the piece, the artist is mounted on an industrial robot arm, which then performs a sort of dance. The result is an artist being controlled by a robot instead of the other way around.

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3 of 12 1920s prosthetics

Prosthetic limbs could be how we become cyborgs in the future, but they've also been an important part of our past. This set was made in 1920.

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Bat Vision Goggles

The Bat Vision Goggles use ultrasound like bats to give you an idea of how echolocation works. Dangle keys and coins in front of the goggles to listen to how the sound changes depending on the object in front of it.

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Operation

One of the more visually arresting exhibits is this photo series by Nina Sellars, which features an operation on artist Stelarc to graft an extra ear on his arm.

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Bust of Neil Harbisson

This bust of Neil Harbisson, known as the world's first cyborg, features the antenna sticking out of his head that helps him hear colors. Harbisson is color blind and can only see in black and white.

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Row of skulls

One of the more creepy exhibits at Human+ is this one by Louis-Philippe Demers that features a row of skeletal heads with eyeballs that follows you around as you walk. Don't visit at night.

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"Tease"

"Tease" is a local exhibit by students from Nanyang Polytechnic. Visitors can interact with the characters on screen through silicon limbs. You can tickle, prod, pinch to see the reactions from the characters, then walk behind the exhibit to view your own reactions as well.

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Improvised Empathetic Device

The Improvised Empathetic Device, or I.E.D., plays on the improvised explosive device acronym. It allows the wearer to feel pain from a needle that draws blood every time news of an American death was reported during the US-led war in Iraq.

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"Transfigurations"

Would you modify a infant before they grow up? This disturbing exhibit called "Transfigurations" from British artist Agatha Haines gives examples of possible modifications, such as changing the skull's shape to let it cool and heat faster.

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"Semi-Living Worry Dolls"

"Semi-Living Worry Dolls" is an art project that features living tissue sculptures by Oron Catts and Ionat Zurr. Using degradable polymers and surgical sutures, the dolls were then seeded with cells, which then took over the sculpture.

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Nadine

The highlight of the exhibit has to be Nadine, one of the most realistic humanoid robots in the world. Created by Nadia Magnenat Thalmann from the Nanyang Technological University, the robot is modeled after her. Nadine is meant to be a companion who can read stories, send emails and talk to people.

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