In the face of rapid ecological and technological change, YOUR URGE TO BREATHE IS A LIE embraces the cephalopod (octopus, squid, cuttlefish, nautilus) as the new model for human evolution. The video follows engineers, dancers, and synchronized swimmers laboring to evolve the human species into the future. Training new sensitivities and capabilities, they strengthen their existing biological systems via a psycho-physical training regime. In an ever-wetter world, human enhancement lies in cephalopod abilities-embodied cognition, shapeshifting, and distributed intelligence. More than a training document, the work attempts to transcend the flat space of video to instigate corporeal sensation in the audience’s body: an audiovisual work that functions as an intensely sensorial invitation for the audience to join this newly wet, soft and squishy, octopus-inspired way of being in the world. YOUR URGE TO BREATHE IS A LIE (2019) is part of the body of work I WANT TO BECOME A CEPHALOPOD (2016–ongoing), which positions the non-mammalian ocean animal as an evolutionary role model; embraces the capacities residing in the existing biological human system, looks toward indigenous forms of deep ocean bodily labors; advocates for nonanthropocentric and embodied knowledges for the project of innovation; and embraces training as a technology, as an augmentation – one rooted in practice, development of internal abilities, and equity in access. They psycho-physical training regimen Transhumanist Octopus Training is developed in collaboration with luciana achugar, and deeply inspired by achugar’s Pleasure Practice.

Simun is an artist working at sites of collision: the collision of bodies (human and non) with rapidly evolving techno-ecosystems. If collision can be understood to be a form of disturbance (in the ecological sense), then in disturbance we move through damage to an opportunity for renewal. Simun works with the sensual conditions of this renewal. Spanning multiple formats including video, performance, installation, and communal sensorial experiences, her work has been supported by Creative Capital, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, Joan Mitchell Foundation, and Foundation for Contemporary Arts.

New York, NY, USA – Web Resident »Planetary Glitch,« 2018