Who Is Neil Harbisson? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born in 1982, Neil Harbisson is a renowned Catalan-Irish musician, artist, and cyborg known for his pioneering work in the intersection of art and technology. As of 2025, he is 43 years old. Harbisson was born with a condition called achromatopsia, which prevents him from seeing color. To cope with this limitation, he underwent a groundbreaking procedure in which an antenna was surgically implanted in his skull, allowing him to perceive sound frequencies corresponding to colors. This innovative device transforms colors into sound, enabling him to 'hear' colors. Harbisson has become an influential figure advocating for cyborg rights, and he is also the co-founder of the Cyborg Foundation.
| Occupation | Performance Artist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1982 (age 43) |
| Age | 43 Years |
| Birth Place | Mataró, Spain |
| Horoscope | |
| Country | Spain |
Popularity
Neil Harbisson's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Neil Harbisson stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm). While exact details about his weight are less publicized, he maintains a healthy physique that complements his artistic endeavors. As a cyborg, his unique experience has led him to embrace body modification as a form of self-expression, but specific body measurements remain private.
Neil Harbisson (born 1982) is a Catalan-raised British-Irish-American cyborg artist and activist for transpecies rights. He is best known for being the first person in the world with an antenna implanted in his skull.
Since 2004, international media have hailed him as the world's first legally recognized cyborg, following the UK government's passport office's acceptance of his antenna as a body part. Publications like The Guardian have also described him as the world's first cyborg artist.
His antenna sends audible vibrations through his skull to report information to him. This includes measurements of electromagnetic radiation, phone calls, and music, as well as videos or images which are translated into audible vibrations.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Neil Harbisson is known for his commitment to his work and advocacy in the cyborg community; however, as of 2025, he keeps his dating life somewhat private. There have been discussions about his romantic interests in the past, but he has not publicly confirmed any boyfriend or girlfriend. As an individual deeply engaged in his career, it appears that he prioritizes his influence and creativity over traditional relationship structures.
Harbisson is the son of a Spanish mother and a Northern Irish father. He grew up in Barcelona where he studied piano and began to compose music at the age of 11. At 16, he studied fine art at the Institut Alexandre Satorras, where he was given special permission to use no colour in his work. His early works are all in black and white.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Neil Harbisson's net worth is estimated to be around $2 million. His earnings primarily stem from his work as an artist, musician, and speaker. He has participated in various exhibitions and art installations worldwide, significantly enhancing his visibility and income. Additionally, Harbisson is a sought-after speaker on topics related to technology and art, contributing to his financial success.
Career, Business and Investments
Neil's career spans multiple disciplines, notably in music, art, and advocacy. As a cyborg artist, he has created numerous works that challenge the boundaries of human experience and technology. His projects often explore themes of perception and existence, including installations that utilize his unique auditory perception of color.
In addition to his artistic endeavors, Harbisson co-founded the Cyborg Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping individuals become cyborgs and advocating for the rights of cyborgs globally. His work has not only garnered critical acclaim but has also led to invitations to speak at prominent conferences and institutions.
Under the title Capital Colours, Harbisson has exhibited the dominant colours of different cities he has visited. He scans the colours of each city until he is able to represent it with at least two hues.
Social Network
Neil Harbisson actively engages with his audience through several social media platforms. You can find him on:
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Instagram: @neilharbisson - where he shares insights into his artistic processes and daily life as a cyborg.
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Twitter: @neilharbisson - for updates on his projects and thoughts on technology and art.
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Facebook: Neil Harbisson - where he connects with followers and shares news related to the Cyborg Foundation.
Harbisson defines his work as cyborg art, the art of designing new senses and new organs, and the art of merging with them. He compares his practice with sculpture; his aim is to mould his mind in order to create new perceptions of reality.
He defines this particular branch of cyborg art as perceptionism, the art of designing new perceptions of reality and sees it as a post-art movement because its practicality makes no distinction between the artist, the work of art, the space where it exists and the audience.
Harbisson is the artist, the work of art, the space where it exists, and the only one in the audience.
Education
Neil Harbisson pursued his education in the realm of art and technology, earning a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Barcelona. His academic background provided him with a strong foundation to explore the intertwining of art and science, leading him to become a leader in the cyborg art movement.
The Cyborg Antenna is a sensory system created to extend color perception. It is implanted and osseointegrated in Harbisson's head and it sprouts from within his occipital bone.
It has been permanently attached to Harbisson's head since 2004 and it allows him to feel and hear colours as audible vibrations inside his head, including colours invisible to the human eye such as infrareds and ultraviolets. The antenna also allows internet connection and therefore the reception of colour from other sensors or from satellites.
Harbisson began developing the antenna at college in 2003 with Adam Montandon and it was upgraded by Peter Kese and Matias Lizana, among others. The antenna implant surgery was repeatedly rejected by bioethical committees but went underway regardless by anonymous doctors.
