Dario Robleto has framed the human heartbeat as more than just a necessary biological function in his newest exhibit, “The Boundary of Life is Quietly Crossed,” which will be on display at the Menil Collection through Jan. 4. The installation links together the first attempts to record and visualize the human pulse and heartbeat, the heartbeat recordings from astronauts on board a NASA space probe and recent developments in artificial heart research. Robleto also had the chance to pick items from the Menil’s permanent collection that he believed would enhance his exhibition.
“It’s a great opportunity to have a living artist see what the permanent collection is like and (then) re-imagine it in the context of his own work,” said communications coordinator Tommy Napier.
The exhibit features books, sculptures, paintings, drawings, photographs and prints of artwork all meant to tie back into how the human heartbeat and pulse carries more than just blood cells and oxygen in a body. The exhibit also features various recordings of the human heartbeat and pulse in different situations that visitors can listen to through headphones in an interactive display.