Jean Shin’s Chemical Balance (2005-2009) is a sculptural installation made of used prescription bottles collected from nursing homes, hospitals and individuals. Says Shin, “Chemical Balance speaks to our culture’s over-consumption of prescription drugs and our bodies’ dependency on these medications. The piece acts like a group portrait, mapping our society’s chemical intake.”
The sculptural forms, which glow an eerie orange, are reminiscent of stalactites and stalagmites, but also of chandeliers. The juxtaposition suggests that consumption of prescription medications has seeped into both our landscape and our higher culture.
More information about Shin’s work and current and upcoming exhibits can be found at her website.
Photo via ecofriend.com
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