Preview Thursday 14 April at 6pm – €7.50 or free to Members+

What is the next step for humankind? Will we learn to take control of our own evolution or enhance our senses to allow us to see ultraviolet light, feel magnetic fields or hear ultrasound? Can we defeat ageing and extend our lives indefinitely? What would be the consequences for the environment and for our social relationships? These questions are explored in HUMAN+, a major new exhibition, supported by the Wellcome Trust, at Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin.

From a petunia plant combined with human DNA to a euthanasia rollercoaster and a prosthetic head, HUMAN+ will invite visitors to consider a future of augmented abilities, authored evolution, new strategies for survival and non-human encounters.

Featuring works by some of the world’s leading artists exploring the art-science interface, including Australian performance artist Stelarc, American transgenic artist Eduardo Kac and dystopian sculptor John Isaacs, HUMAN+ paints a somewhat ambiguous picture of the future of our species. What enhancements will we choose to become better humans? What happens when we live side by side with our robotic companions? How can we author our genetic futures?

During HUMAN+, Science Gallery will host talks and performances from world-renowned artists, scientists and visionaries, including:

• Professor Gordon Wallace, expert in organic bionics on April 18
• Professor and cyborg Kevin Warwick on April 21
• Creative Commons co-founder and author of Shamans, Software and Spleens Professor James Boyle on May 12
• A closing event featuring performance artist Stelarc.

HUMAN+ opens at Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin, Pearse Street, Dublin 2 on April 15 and runs until June 24th 2011. Admission is free with a suggested donation. HUMAN+ is open Tuesday-Friday 12:00-20:00 and Saturday-Sunday 12:00-18:00. Find out more on www.sciencegallery.com/humanplus