GRAHAM
PATRICIA PICCININI (Australia)
What would you need to look like to survive a low impact crash?
Turns out it’s Graham. Perfectly designed to withstand the impact force of a low speed crash (30km/h), his enlarged skull is filled with extra cerebrospinal fluid and ligaments to protect the brain, while the neck – one of the most vulnerable body parts in a collision – has been removed entirely. Sacks have been placed between each of his ribs to create airbag-like cushioning and extra joints in his legs allow him to jump out of the way quickly or bend around a car bonnet. Created in collaboration with Royal Melbourne Hospital trauma surgeon Christian Kenfield and Monash University Accident Research Centre road safety engineer Dr David Logan, Graham is a sober reminder of just how vulnerable our bodies really are.
Patricia Piccinini is a Sierra Leone-born Australian artist and alumni from the Victorian College of the Arts. Her artworks include hyperrealistic sculptures constructed from silicone, fiberglass and human hair that often explore the moral and ethical challenges set by advances in biotechnology and genetic manipulation. Patricia’s artwork has been included in major international exhibitions including CCBB Rio De Janiero, Dark Mofo, Hobart and Leeahn Gallery, Seoul. Her artwork ‘We are Family’, was included in the Australian Pavilion of the 50th Venice Biennale and ‘Skywhale’ was commissioned for the centenary of Canberra.
Graham was commissioned by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to promote road safety.