Reprogramming Humanity: The Art and Science of the Posthuman Cyborg

This thesis explores the shifting boundaries of humanity in an era defined by technological transformation, focusing on post-humanism, trans-humanism, biopolitics, and contemporary artistic practices. Engaging with key thinkers such as Donna Haraway and Rosi Braidotti, alongside artists like Agnes Questionmark, ORLAN and Stelarc, it examines how technological and cultural shifts redefine subjectivity, identity, and power. The study distinguishes trans-humanism’s enhancement-driven focus from post-humanism’s decentering of the human, tracing historical trajectories and conceptual frameworks shaping these paradigms. Central to this inquiry is the figure of the cyborg, analysed as both a metaphor and material reality within biopolitical contexts. Artistic practices emerge as critical spaces of resistance, challenging normative constructs of the body and offering new modes of existence beyond human-nonhuman binaries. In its conclusion, the thesis highlights the role of digital humanities in bridging the gap between post-humanist theories and empirical methodologies. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, digital humanities strengthen post-humanist research, providing tools to better understand the interplay of technology, culture, and identity. This work invites readers to envision new possibilities for being and becoming in a rapidly changing world.