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KABK Thesis / Research Document of the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, 2023. BA Interactive/Media/Design This thesis explores the body as a transformative site where identity, autonomy, and self-expression intersect with cultural, societal, and technological forces. Through the lens of body modification, it examines how individuals reclaim agency by altering their physical form, challenging dominant ideals shaped by patriarchy, religion, and societal norms. Drawing on personal experience, indigenous practices, and speculative design, this work considers how the body can be utilized as a tool for resistance, empowerment, and evolution. The concept of fluidity emerges as central: identity and the human form are not fixed, but adaptable and in constant negotiation. Technologies such as neural augmentation and transhumanist enhancements are expanding the boundaries of what it means to be human, introducing new ways of expressing the self beyond biology. This work envisions a future where transformation is not only possible, but accessible and intentional—a reflection of inner growth made external. At the same time, it emphasizes the ethical need for inclusivity, cultural respect, and awareness of systemic inequalities in these movements. Ultimately, this thesis positions the body as a living interface, through which new definitions of humanity are formed, questioned, and continually reimagined.
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