In 20 to 40 years’ time, innovations such as CRISPR will transform humanity and redefine many of society’s structures. When humans are born outside of the body in labs, who will shape these reproductive habitats – and for what purpose? How humans will adapt to brave new technologies is the theme of a timely lecture by Lucy McRae, the Los Angeles–based science fiction artist, filmmaker, inventor and body architect. Her work speculates on the future of human existence by exploring the limits of the body, beauty, biotechnology, and the self – and the cultural and emotional impacts science and cutting-edge technology have on redesigning the body.

Regarded as a pioneer who blurs the boundaries across art, architecture, design, and technology with a healthy disregard for labels that limit interdisciplinary practice, McRae uses art as a mechanism to signal and provoke our ideologies and ethics about who we are and where we are headed. Selected of her major artworks – which include Future Survival Kit, Future Day Spa and Astronaut Aerobics – have been exhibited at Science Museum London, Centre Pompidou, and the Venice Biennale.