Augmented Bodies:// Functional Diversity in Cyberspace

Ash Hagerstrand

“We dream of augmented bodies, pushed beyond the boundaries of organic living. Yet, when we augment disabled bodies it causes discomfort and disgust. Our relationship with technology hinges on our association to wellness— augmentation is only divine sleek and transcendent as long as it does not remind us of mortality. During the pandemic the disabled and chronically ill have been used as a blunt instrument on either side of the political spectrum without meaningful change or societal care implemented with us in mind». Ash Hagerstrand is an interdisciplinary artist,

Brooklyn, United States www.jesusluvsmemes.com writer, and curator based out of Brooklyn. They graduated with a BFA from RISD in 2018. Their artistic practice explores the often complicated intersection of disability and technology. As an extension of that practice they created Chronically Online Gallery, a virtual gallery space dedicated to showing disabled and chronically ill artists.