'catalog for the post-human' imagines body augmentation products of the future

parsons & charlesworth has unveiled a series of body augmentation products that look straight out of a dystopian movie at the 2021 venice architecture biennale. envisioned as a satirical trade fair booth from a future technology company, the installation is called ‘catalog for the post-human’ and it builds on the theme of this year’s biennale, ‘how will we live together?’ featuring a number of objects designed to enhance productivity, the exhibition instead asks, ‘how will we live together if we are forced to augment ourselves to stay competitive?’

catalog for the post-human, installation view, venice architecture biennale 2021

images courtesy of parsons & charlesworth (unless otherwise stated)

located inside the biennale’s arsenale building, the satirical installation invites visitors into an immersive space that mixes the familiar design language of a commercial trade fair, with an unfamiliar collection of objects relating to the future of work, productivity labor and the body. the fictional commercial environment created by parsons & charlesworth aims to provoke conversations about the ethical and social dimensions of our technologically mediated futures.

optimized wellness area

imagining a future where success depends upon our ability to be permanently cognitively sharp, quantifying ourselves with data, and able to work the long and irregular hours assigned by algorithm-led corporations, ‘catalog for the post-human’ provides tools to help workers cope with circumstances in which their bodies may be pushed to the limit. adjust your circadian rhythms to your work schedule with the sleepsnackers. dial up the right cognitive state for your next gig using smart drugs provided by the nootdial. safeguard your microbiome with soil-based probiotic mycopop lollipops or absorb vitamins intravenously while you work with an inflatable IV apparel jacket.

inflatable IV apparel jacket

the installation consists of four product ranges, each addressing different needs of the contingent worker of the near future. the optimized wellness area features tools to help you maintain hydration and a healthy gut. here, visitors can find probiotic lollipops called mycopops™ and an IV jacket for administering your own IV on the move.

mycopops™, probiotic lollipops

the expedited recovery area displays tools that help you adjust your circadian rhythm to match your economic rhythm. these include sleepsnackers™, tools for enhanced short-term napping, and remwake™, a wearable alarm that wakes you at your most alert.

sleepsnackers headwear, wearable sleep tool

the enhanced productivity range exhibits products to help you maintain productivity and income generation. clickbaitwear™ is wearable advertising clothing for a second income stream while stresswatch™ is a device for measuring your stress levels via a saliva cortisol test.

stresswatch, cortisol stress test

the final range is called cognitive management and it includes tools to tune your brain’s efficiency. morning ritual™ is a kit for microdosing and nootdial™ is a dispenser for nootropic pharmaceuticals.

nootdial, drug dispenser

catalog for the post-human extends an ongoing body of research and design outcomes that began in 2014, responding to questions such as, what are the logical conclusions of the work/life changes we’re already seeing? how will AI, brain-computer interfaces, and constant corporate surveillance impact our behavior? what are the physical and psychological consequences of giving over body and mind to the unrelenting productivity of data-driven capitalism?

remwake

the exhibition will be on view from may 22 through november 21 at the 17th international architecture exhibition – la biennale di venezia. it has been supported by a grant from the graham foundation for advanced studies in the fine arts and the british council. abstracta exhibition furniture and printing provided by consort display group. products from the catalog for the post-human can be viewed on the dedicated microsite here.

clickbaitwear, LED clothing

sleepsnacker armwear, wearable sleep tool

tim parsons & jessica charlesworth at the exhibition

image © designboom

image © designboom

image © designboom

enhanced productivity area

cognitive management area

project info:

name: catalog for the post-human

location: arsenale, venice

event: 17th international architecture exhibition – la biennale di venezia

dates: may 22 – november 21, 2021

design: parsons & charlesworth

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom