The majority of our experiences as humans are dictated by the physicality of our bodies. Our entire lived experience is translated through the way in which we inhabit our bodies. Because of our bodies we are able to have myriad polarizing experiences: comfort/discomfort, pleasure/pain, rest/exhaustion, joy/heartache, satisfaction/disappointment, peace/anxiety. The skills and limitations, whether imposed by nature or culture, of our diverse bodies can dictate our experiences and our perceptions. Through time immemorial and through a variety of means and methods, humans have altered, modified, constricted, extended, and aided our bodies. These modifications may be enacted to fit a social norm or to set oneself apart, to adorn or restrict, to create a “better” body.

The Body Altered/Adorned is a community design challenge and exhibition that explores the idea of the manipulated body through the use of raw materials or wearable objects.