Pharma Shrine

This pharmaceutical shrine has been a long-term recreational project. It still needs more work on the outside. Here’s a peek of (mostly) the inside, which is just about finished. Those are tiny Rx pads on the bottom shelf. The thing on the side that says “3 mg” is a pull-out display tray. I might put some more samples or pharma credit-type cards in it (yes, such things exist). I embedded magnets under the doors so that they shut with a satisfying snap.

3 thoughts on “Pharma Shrine”

  1. Looks good so far. I must admit I don't know much about common shrine architecture. But I like many small details in your assemblage. A phone number on top to call for refills seems to be mocking prayers, or maybe mocking pills that have to stand in for prayers? For some reason I like the space at the very bottom, but can't explain why.

    I like the whole project. I have been thinking about what place pharmacy has in our society. Of course it is a relieve that we have them pills to help us through the day. Who would want to live in a world without antibiotics? But when I hear about doping in sport, actually doping our kids to do well in class (this seems to become shockingly normal where I live). When thinking about this, I cannot help but think that maybe the world would not be a worse place if we had the right to work less because we have a headache instead of being expected to take aspirin and function as usual.

    Somehow with the availability of a fix for every condition seems to come a intolerance towards those who suffer …

    I am looking forward to seeing this project evolve further!

    Reply
  2. Thanks, Buechertiger, for the thoughtful comment. The encouragement makes me want to work on it more.

    I have a complicated relationship with pharmaceuticals. My life actually depends upon some of the things I take. On one hand, I'm glad the pills are there. But on the other hand, the pharmaceutical industry is so foul it seems like something to mock. I don't know what it's like in Germany, but here in the US they can advertise prescription medicines on TV and in magazines. So you see a lot of ads for things like Viagra, filled with happy people dancing around.

    And I very much agree with you about the intolerance people have for the sick. It's something I've had to deal with myself. People think that you must not *want* to be well, otherwise you would've found a cure by now.

    Reply
  3. Thanks, Buechertiger, for the thoughtful comment. The encouragement makes me want to work on it more.

    I have a complicated relationship with pharmaceuticals. My life actually depends upon some of the things I take. On one hand, I'm glad the pills are there. But on the other hand, the pharmaceutical industry is so foul it seems like something to mock. I don't know what it's like in Germany, but here in the US they can advertise prescription medicines on TV and in magazines. So you see a lot of ads for things like Viagra, filled with happy people dancing around.

    And I very much agree with you about the intolerance people have for the sick. It's something I've had to deal with myself. People think that you must not *want* to be well, otherwise you would've found a cure by now.

    Reply

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