As Resusci-Anne, L’Inconnue undergoes another metamorphosis, from evocative art object to medical tool. With each chest compression or ‘kiss of life,’ we ritualistically affirm her underlying narrative of victimization, reenacting a fairytale of romanticized drowning and suffocation, now featuring the happy ending of supernatural rebirth, of life beyond death. This way, Resusci-Anne can act as a symbolic representation of all of us; she shows us that we too can be saved again and again through the commodification and medicalization of our physical bodies. We are machines that can and should continue to function as long as all the parts are kept in working order. This mentality gave rise to CPR in the 1960s, pushing upon the public the role of emergency mechanic, and making death’s deferment everyone’s responsibility. It’s a semi-magical medical spell that empowers anyone and everyone to bring back the dead, granting would-be victims of mortality a second chance at life.

And yet, it is still largely ineffective at saving lives.