A cyborg (“cybernetic organism”) is a being with both natural and artificial parts. We use the term "cyborg" to denote a person who has abilities enhanced abilities due to

technology. This thesis discusses "wearable technology" with the concept of cyborgs for the extension of the bodies in performance art. Clothing is considered as a mechanical skin -- yielding a hybrid organism -- partly organic, partly artificial.

The first artwork I discuss, "The Layer of Magnet," explores second and third skins resulting form a performer wearing clothing with embedded magnets (a bit like the comic book character "Magneto" in the "X-Men") that allow the performer to control some metallic items. The artwork also explores how “body sense” constructs new behaviors when the ability to control is implemented. The second artwork I discuss, "In Contour," explores clothing design of mutable clothing that adapts to the wearer and outside forces.

Together, these works explore the extension of our physical body -- while these extensions are in some ways strange and inconvenient, they also help facilitate new ideas and behavior. These help to address the question of what it means to transcend the limitations of our biological skin.