Pills & Remedies- Dana Wyse

Not being able to go out to art galleries or go on little arty trips to different cities during lockdown is so frustrating. Not only does it mean not being able to get a big body of primary/ secondary research for projects, but it means that getting the creative vibes manifesting is waaaay harder.

I’ve been taking in art and culture in a different way, by trying to follow more smaller artists on Instagram and buy into their work if possible. I’ve been paying more attention to posts I see from certain accounts such as @convertingculture @digital_archive and @beneculture that normally show off artwork, but Bene Culture especially are showcasing on socials instead of how they usually heavily do in their store.

I came across 'Pills and Remedies" by Dana Wyse. I love art that is radical and risky. And very blatant. This collection in her work was curated over about 15 years, from 1996 to 2013. Using pictures from 1960's advertising to adorn the 'pills' that she puts in the packets, this collection discusses topics such as sexuality, relationships, uncomfortable subjects, politics etc. It technically has a pill to make certain bad situations (or just really crazy circumstances) in your life go away.

Taking this piece for example, not only a pill that I wish I'd had access to for the last 2 years but a pill that shouldn't exist but needs to.

If prescribed this pill you'd only get 2 pills. Does this mean you can use the pills on 2 different relationships or does it mean that the relationship is that toxic that you need double dosage?

I find it sad that toxic relationships have always been a thing but over the years how the relationships are toxic has probably changed in some ways. Due to social media, it being easier to cheat and get caught and mental health becoming more of a crisis.

Hypothetically, how many people would buy these pills if they were able to be bought over the counter? What would be the side effects? How much would they cost?

Very controversial.

I think when art is controversial and starts conversation around the piece or the subject it is on, that is when an artist may feel content with their work. (That is, if their intention was to stir up a buzz with the piece.) Upon coming across these pieces I can see so many that would cause arguments at the dinner table or in a museum a white middle aged woman would come across it, give it a stern face, a puff and walk away. But things that also might question your own thoughts and beliefs, thinking would I need this pill in my life, or why would someone want to change this about their life?