Oron Catts and Ionat Zurr of the Tissue Culture & Art Project have “grown” a quarter-scale replica of Stelarc’s ear using human cells. The ear is cultured in a rotating micro-gravity bioreactor which allows the cells to grow in three dimensions. The ear is fed with nutrients every 3-4 days in a sterile hood.

Extra Ear 1/4 Scale confronts cultural perceptions of “life” given our increasing ability to manipulate living systems and deals with the ethical and perceptual issues stemming from the realization that living tissue can be sustained, grown, and is able to function outside the body.

Stelarc plans to attach the ear to his forearmarm as a soft prosthesis. TC&A will also be growing other facial parts for the artist: a nose, lips and a shape of the eyes, connecting them to form a living mask.

See also Wired.
Related: Victimless leather jacket.