Intimate Implant

Intimate Implant is a speculative experience focused on an underexplored theme in science: the emotional relationship between humans and technology. From the perspective of three regenerative implants – a new type of implant that breaks down and is replaced by new native body tissue – scenarios are explored in which humans and technology coexist intimately. What is it like for technology to be so devoted to humans, how do we live harmoniously with technology, and what happens if technology fails to fulfil its promise?

Patient experiences

Experiencing the Intimate Implant, several people with technology implanted in their bodies said to be touched. For the first time, they felt a strong connection and an emotional bond with their inner device. Some even cried, expressing that they finally felt understood and were given words to describe living with such technology within them. They shared that this experience would have been very helpful, both in preparation before getting an implant and during their post-implementation aftercare.

One visitor (46) shared: “I could relate to Intimate Implant because a week later, I would have a technological device implanted in my body. This artwork makes the technical aspect personal and tangible, which is crucial as the experience with an implant itself is highly personal. Connecting with the device and the emotional relationship that develops resonated with me. My own implant vibrates occasionally, and through Intimate Implant, I might have come to see it as a form of communication, providing me with reassurance.”

Harmonious coexistence

The increasingly intimate relationship between humans and technology in general, and the upcoming breakthrough in regenerative implants in particular, raises the question what it is like to live with a technology intimately embedded in our bodies. Research shows that living with a medical implant can lead to feelings of disembodiment, insecurity, and helplessness. Regenerative implants could potentially amplify these feelings. It shows the urgency to investigate ways to improve the emotional and conscious relationship between humans and their new body part.

Award-winning

Intimate Implant has been honored with the Melanie Peters Award 2024. This biennial award is given to individuals who make a significant contribution to the societal dialogue on science, technology, and innovation. For us, it is a great and much-appreciated recognition of the role that art and design could and should play in addressing societal challenges related to these themes. “The jury is very enthusiastic about the innovative, interdisciplinary, and creative nature of Intimate Implant,” said the jury chair Daan Roovers. “The interactive objects stretch our imagination. They allow users to engage with new technology through experience. Moreover, the project can contribute to a broader societal discussion about the increasing use of technology to enhance human capabilities.”

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Intimate Implant has been developed in close collaboration with Manon van Daal and Anne-Floor de Kanter. They are researchers in Bioethics at the (sub)department of Bioethics and Health Humanities (UMC Utrecht).

Photography Betweter Festival: Ivar Pel
Photography Dutch Design Week: Nicole Miedema
Photography models: Jasper Zijlstra