The New New
Serial No. 1330
2003

Perfect Specimens

Perfect Specimens looks beneath the multi-faceted surface of human individuality to a far more fundamental identity - the identity of our species. The complete series, consisting of over 60 images, considers the entire life cycle of Homo sapiens from earliest embryo to post-mortem decay.

For both the individual and the species, the processes of becoming human (the developing fetus) and "unbecoming" human (the process by which we depart this life) define our existence.

When does the state of being human begin and end? What are the features which make us Homo sapiens? How are these characteristics similar to, or different than, other species? From a biological perspective what does it mean to be human?

Perfect Specimens offers no answers.