health versus disease
fluoxetine
fluoxetine #1 (flower), 2015
field view size: 0.044 x 0.029 in
print: 52 x 34.6 in / 25.9 x 17.3 in
flowers
cheerfulness
liveliness
optimist
mental health
drug
pharmacotherapy
antidepressant
anxiolytic
mental disorders
bipolar disorder
bulimia
obesity
depression
fibromyalgia
obsessive-compulsive disorder
panic disorder
post-traumatic stress
premenstrual syndrome
neurobiology
neurochemistry
neurophysiology
neuropsychiatry
cognitive science
neuropsychopharmacology
neuroscience
WHO List of Essential Medicines
fluoxetine #2 (flowers), 2015
field view size: 0.029 x 0.044 in
print: 46.1 x 69.1 in / 23 x 34,6 in
flowers
cheerfulness
liveliness , optimist
mental health
drug
pharmacotherapy
antidepressant
anxiolytic
mental disorders
bipolar disorder
bulimia , obesity
depression
fibromyalgia
obsessive-compulsive disorder
panic disorder
post-traumatic stress
premenstrual syndrome
neurobiology
neurochemistry
neurophysiology
neuropsychiatry
cognitive science
neuropsychopharmacology
neuroscience
WHO List of Essential Medicines
fluoxetine #3 (inflorescence), 2015
field view size: 0.029 x 0.044 in
print: 46.1 x 69.1 in / 23 x 34,6 in
inflorescence , flowers
cheerfulness
liveliness , optimist
mental health , drug
pharmacotherapy
antidepressant
anxiolytic
mental disorders
bipolar disorder
bulimia , obesity
depression
fibromyalgia
obsessive-compulsive disorder
panic disorder
post-traumatic stress
premenstrual syndrome
neurobiology
neurochemistry
neurophysiology
neuropsychiatry
cognitive science
neuropsychopharmacology
neuroscience
WHO List of Essential Medicines
fluoxetine #4 (butterfly), 2015
field view size: 0.029 x 0.044 in
print: 46.1 x 69.1 in / 23 x 34,6 in
butterfly , flower
light and darkness
cheerfulness
liveliness , optimist
mental health, drug
pharmacotherapy
antidepressant
anxiolytic
mental disorders
bipolar disorder
bulimia , obesity
depression
fibromyalgia
obsessive-compulsive disorder
panic disorder
post-traumatic stress
premenstrual syndrome
neurobiology
neurochemistry
neurophysiology
neuropsychiatry
cognitive science
neuropsychopharmacology
neuroscience
WHO List of Essential Medicines
fluoxetine
When photographing this molecule I wondered what possible link could there exist between its spatial arrangement and its main pharmacological action. Finally, the shapes of flowers and flower-like appendages, as well as the outlines of a tiny butterfly, were revealed to me. These are icons of a state-of-the-art drug used as an antidepressant.
It helps the neurotransmitter serotonin increase its activity in the brain and boost our mood.
Its chemical action is thus capable of raising the spirits of the voluble posthuman.
The latest stage in the evolution of our species is characterized by larger cranial capacity, higher intelligence, greater knowledge, and maybe by an increased emotional vulnerability. The environment of humans in developed countries is extremely complex and advanced, and constantly assaults our emotions with new forms of relation and social contexts.
We should probably wonder why this molecule is in such a high demand in our society, and why our serotonin levels require the help of a chemical to keep our mood and anxiety in acceptable levels. Maybe we should provide ourselves with an appropriate social environment and then allow our bodies to find their own balance. While we do that, we can count on this molecule to do its job.
Antonio Romero
cheerfulness,
liveliness,
optimist,
mental health,
drug,
pharmacotherapy,
antidepressant,
anxiolytic,
mental disorders,
bipolar disorder,
bulimia,
obesity,
depression,
fibromyalgia,
obsessive-compulsive disorder,
panic disorder,
post-traumatic stress,
premenstrual syndrome,
neurobiology,
neurochemistry,
neurophysiology,
neuropsychiatry,
cognitive science,
neuropsychopharmacology,
neuroscience,
WHO List of Essential Medicines
The caption of each work are displayed on the pdf (health_versus_disease_a_romero_2017.pdf) of this project. Please email me for further information.