DIGITAL REMAINS, THE GHOST IN CYBERSPACE disembodied art and technological spirituality

Abstract

This article looks into the notion of digital traces to explore the fear of death and the desires of transcendence we project on new technologies. We will review artistic practices that represent different approaches to the body-technology relation, as embodiment or disembodiment. By focusing on the artwork Marilyn by Philippe Parreno we will detect the ghost and the elements of spectral representation, to further inquire into the wishes bestowed on us through the memories and footprints we leave in cyberspace.

Key words: spectre, body-technology, corporality, disembodiment, art and technology, cyborg, social networks, transcendence.