NEWCASTLE A philosopher and performance artist announced that he has acquired an ear on his arm.

It took Stelarc, 61, ten years to find a surgeon willing to perform the controversial operation. The ear was grown from cells in a laboratory and implanted on his left forearm in 2006. The Australian-based artist, who was born Stelios Arcadiou, said that, once the ear has developed, he hoped to get a microphone implanted. “The last operation was in September 2006 and its only now that I’m about ready for the next step,” he said. When the surgery is complete and the body has produced the necessary tissue, Stelarc hopes to have a recognisable ear on his arm. “Then I hope to have a tiny microphone implanted that will connect with a bluetooth transmitter. That way you can listen to what my ear is hearing.”

Stelarc was talking to an audience at Newcastle’s Centre For Life, where he introduced his latest project, a “walking head” robot, which will be on show there for a month. The six-legged robot will be one of the highlights of the Dott 07 Festival, which runs from October 16 to 28 and examines how design can help to build a sustainable future.

Explore Health

• Expert Advice

• Health Features

• Mental Health

• Alternative Medicine

• Child Health

• Health Club