UNBORN0X9

Future Baby Production

UNBORN0X9 is an art installation and performance questioning the development of foetuses in artificial wombs outside of the body (ectogenesis) and the cyborg future of parenting.

In collaboration with the echOpen living lab in Paris, which is developing a open-source ultrasound scanner for smartphone, Future Baby Production have created a performance centred around three artificial wombs. The performance hacks inaudible ultrasonic waves from the portable ultrasound device to produce an audiovisual and ultrasonic score that is interpreted by performers and musicians.

Discover the research and methodology of Future Baby Production in the exhibition, or come to a performance of UNBORN0X9 during the GENDERS: Shaping and Breaking the Binary season.

Image: HK's belly, courtesy Helen Kaplinsky, 2019.

About the contributor(s)

Future Baby Production is an initiative by artist Shu Lea Cheang and artist and curator Ewen Chardronnet. In 2016 the echOpen fablab at the Hôtel-Dieu hospital in Paris, which is designing a low-cost and open source portable ultrasound device, invited the two artists/authors to collaborate. This opportunity led to the UNBORN0X9 project.

The name of the collective represents its aim to raise questions about the possible impact of low cost echo-stethoscopy on global health, access to healthcare and motherhood, and the relationship between science-fiction and science.

An Antre-Peaux/UrsuLaB production in association with Labomedia, echOpen, Makery

Production: Isabelle Carlier (Antre-Peaux)

Technical Team: Benjamin Cadon (Labomedia), Jérôme Dubois (echOpen)

On motherhood: Catherine Lenoble, Alexandra Haché