Prosthetic Abilities: Conceptualizing Sound Machines for Amplified Elephants

This article discusses how an understanding of prosthetic imagining has influenced the making of sound machines for the Amplified Elephants—a group of sound artists living with intellectual disabilities. This research is contextualized through the discussion of relevant precedent artists: performance artist Stelarc and sound artist Ernie Althoff. The article presents the point that sound art (including music) is a predominantly prosthetic art form; sound-making devices (including traditional musical instruments) can be conceived of as prosthetic audio devices. Investigating notions of prosthesis can inform us further on the human condition.