Neil Harbisson

Neil Harbisson
Born1982 (age 4243)
Nationality
  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland
  • Spanish
  • American
Education
Known forPerformance art, Body art, Cyborg art
Notable work
  • Cyborg Antenna, Transdental Communication, Solar Crown, Sound Portraits
Awards
  • 2018  Guinness World Record
    Guinness Book of Records
  • 2016  Tribeca X Award
    Tribeca Film Festival, New York
  • 2015  Futurum Award
    Futurum, Monaco
  • 2014  Bram Stoker Gold Medal
    Trinity College, Dublin
  • 2013  Focus Forward Grand Jury Award
    Sundance Film Festival, USA
  • 2010  Cre@tic Award 2010
    Tecnocampus Mataró
  • 2009  Phonos Music Grant
    IUA Phonos, Spain
  • 2005  Best Performing Story
    ResearchTV, UK
  • 2004  Innovation Award 2004
    Submerge (Bristol, UK)
  • 2004  Europrix Multimedia Award
    Vienna, Austria
  • 2001 & 2010  Stage Creation Award
    IMAC Mataró, Spain
Websitecyborgarts.com

Neil Harbisson (born 1982) is a Catalan-raised British-Irish-American cyborg artist and activist for transpecies rights. He is best known for being the first person in the world with an antenna implanted in his skull. Since 2004, international media have hailed him as the world's first legally recognized cyborg, following the UK government's passport office's acceptance of his antenna as a body part. Publications like The Guardian have also described him as the world's first cyborg artist. His antenna sends audible vibrations through his skull to report information to him. This includes measurements of electromagnetic radiation, phone calls, and music, as well as videos or images which are translated into audible vibrations.

In 2010, he co-founded the Cyborg Foundation, an international organisation that defends cyborg rights, promotes cyborg art and supports people who want to become cyborgs. In 2017, he co-founded the Transpecies Society, an association that gives voice to people with non-human identities, raises awareness of the challenges transpecies face, advocates for the freedom of self-design and offers the development of new senses and organs in community.