In this episode we talk about the body and its capacity to present as a work of art. We take the phenomenon of body modification as a launching point for thinking about embodiment as artistic expression. What happens, then, when the work of art and the artist are the same living being? What would it mean, then, for the work of art to have some sense of autonomy relative to its maker? Do we learn anything interesting about artistic practice? Or, is it misguided to speak this way, leading only to whimsical clichés: "Life is art. Art is life."?

If you like what you hear, find us on Patreon at patreon.com/therilkeanzoo for more episodes.

Text: Ted Joans, "The Truth," Ted Joans, accessed October 22, 2022. https://www.tedjoans.com/books/the-truth/