The Medical SeriesIn this series, I explored philosophical and psychological concepts of human interaction, self harm, human attraction, and more through the scope of fictional alien philosophers analyzing human behavior.
Conceptually, the project takes place in an alternate or future reality similar to our own in which aliens view us similarly to how we view ants, and have written a medical textbook educating their species on human behavior and physiology.
These pieces reflect on ideas of identity and introspection, and all writing is written by me through the voice of alien philosophers and psychologists.
Section 4A: Anatomy
The first piece of the series, Section 4A: Anatomy presents an overview of the “main” body parts in a human that are of concern for the aliens.
The aliens do not place humans on the same pedestal as we often choose to believe we are on, and speak cynically about our various behavioral tendencies.
The eye is described as being “easily deceived” and in need of augmentation for it to be of help.
The heart is described as “easily manipulated and led astray” due to the human tendency of attachment.
The skull is described as the body’s last defense in protecting the brain, which is thought by the aliens to contain the human’s soul.
The brain is described as the human’s only chance of reaching true awareness of its reality, but easily damaged and susceptible to harm without the protection of the soul.
Section 2C: Artificial Implantation
Symbolizing self harm and themes of identity, this piece explores the concept of artificial implantation and body modification.
The piece is meant to explore the balance between beauty and pain, and advancement versus destruction.
Artificial implants may provide the human with the benefits of readily available tools or aesthetic expression, at the expense of irreparable damage to its body.
Selected for Utah All-State Art Show 2022
Selected for Traveling Exhibition at the Springville Museum of Arts in Utah 2022-2023
Section 3C: Attraction
This piece explores the concept of love and attraction from the aliens’ perspective.
The lips are described as an outlet for the emotions that are too strong for the human to contain internally. Through speech and actions the human is able to release these emotions before harm is done.
The uses of the heart are described as being incorrectly identified by humans, as the aliens believe it to directly influence human emotion.
The eye is described in this piece by a different philosopher, focusing on its use for determining an object’s attractiveness, but still referencing the alien belief that human eyes are weak and easily fooled.
Awarded 1st Place in Digital Media, Bountiful Davis Art Center, 2022
Utah All-State Art Show 2022
Bountiful Davis Art Center 2022
This project is a work in progress, there are more pages of the textbook that are yet to be discovered.