Award of Distinction Interactive Art+
Frank Kolkman (NL)
The large number of YouTube videos of mainly uninsured Americans performing and sharing medical hacks inspired Frank Kolkman to create OpenSurgery: A DIY surgical robot, which can be used to perform laparoscopic surgery[1]. OpenSurgery examines the question of whether do-it-yourself surgical tools are a suitable alternatives to increasingly expensive health services. By combining 3D printing and laser cutting with hacked surgical pieces and components bought online, Kolkman’s robot trades medical compliance for accessibility and easy distribution. Since it requires a surgeon to operate it, Open-Surgery intends, instead of providing an immediate solution, to facilitate discussion about alternative models of healthcare. The project raises important questions about inequality, ethics, and the lack of access to essential health services experienced by a growing number of people around the world.
