Our Blood, Guts, And Anatomy As Art

Hemosapien by Jordan Eagles.

With technology reaching peaks of complexity and revolutionizing art in new ways practically every day, it can be easy to overlook the incredibly efficient systems that operate our own bodies. How the organic “technology” behind our physical functionality operates continues to mystify us, and in several cases has inspired artists to explore its meaning. Let’s take a look at some artists who are bringing to light the fundamental beauty of our blood and guts.

Muscled Skin

In Portugal, photographer Pedro Sousa developed a photo series called Muscled Skin, in which the human muscular system is superimposed on the model's skin, essentially making him appear as though he has no skin and exposing the inner patterns of this anatomical system.

Las Ciencias Naturales

Argentinean illustrator Juan Gatti used the physiology motif to create collages contrasting human design with imagery found in nature. This collection is titled Las Ciencias Naturales, which translates to The Natural Sciences. The show featured 25 pieces Gatti created for Pedro Almodóvar‘s latest film, The Skin I Live In. The film’s narrative is based around body-related technologies, depicting a plastic surgeon's search for the perfect skin.

Hemosapien

This is the blood that irrigates our body tissues seen as raw material. American artist Jordan Eagles created an installation called Hemosapien with beef blood attained from butcher shops. In the space, light is passed through his blood art, creating gory projections that form varying patterns. To preserve the organic material in the containers, he developed a special technique with plexiglass and UV resin. The objective of this work was to "create relics of that which was once living, embodying transformation, regeneration and an allegory of death to life," the artist says.