The phantom limb phenomena

As researchers develop more sophisticated protheses for locomotion, research has also focused on phantom limb sensations of amputees and the neurological activity in specific areas of the brain related to the mapping of body surface and sensation. This condition of the phantom limb will be explained at The Phantom Limb Phenomena conference, Goldsmiths College in London, Jan. 15th and 16th.
The event will also address the manifestations of the topic within psychological research, art practice and other philosophical reflections on presence and absence, loss and memory. Via Rhizome.

The picture above is from the 1997 "After Image" series for which British artist Alexa Wright worked with amputees to investigate and visualize their phantom limbs.

Related: Biohybrid limb for amputees, and PhysOrg article on artificial muscles based on conducting polymer and carbon nanotubes.