NYU prof temporarily removes camera from head

[February 12, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- A New York University professor says the tiny camera inserted into the back of his head for a yearlong art project has been temporarily removed due to a risk of infection.

In the meantime, Wafaa Bilal (wah-FAH' bih-LAHL') says he will wear it around his neck. The interactive piece beams images to a website and a Persian Gulf museum.

The Iraqi-born artist teaches at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. He had minor surgery last Friday to remove one of the posts holding the camera to his head because his body was rejecting it.

He hopes the wound will heal quickly so he can reattach the camera. The art piece was commissioned by the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha, Qatar.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.