About
Arthur Elsenaar is an artist, electrical engineer, and facial hacker affiliated with the ArtScience Interfaculty at the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (KABK), where he investigates the intersection of technology and facial expression.
Since 1993, Elsenaar has pioneered Electro-Facial Choreography, exploring the human face as a site for artistic expression through computer-controlled electrical stimulation. His research spans Digital Art, Bioengineering, and Human-Computer Interaction, focusing on the potential of electricity to reshape bodily autonomy and performance.
His work has been recognized with awards such as the
- Prix Ars Electronica honorary mention (1997)
- Leonardo Award for Excellence (2003)
- Technarte Best Speaker Award (2012)
Notable projects include Face Shift (acquired by the Stedelijk Museum in 2008) and Huge Harry, which interrogate the boundaries of human physiology and algorithmic control. Elsenaar’s research also engages with ethical questions about digital embodiment and the future of human-machine collaboration.
