130,000 fake ecstasy pills compose a 10 meter long installation in berlin for netflix

to promote the second season of netflix’s how to sell drugs online (fast), london-based artist chemical X installed an elaborate mosaic in berlin using 130,000 fake ecstasy pills. measuring an impressive 10 x 3 meters and weighing a hefty 1000kg, the massive public artwork stood outside the bikini berlin shopping mall for 10 days to advertise the netflix show. 

images courtesy of basa studio

the mosaic-style installation showcases the main character of the show, played by maximilian mundt, surrounded by psychedelic references to roman emperor julius caesar and iconic religious figure jesus christ. the 130,000 colorful, and fake, ecstasy pills also reference the show’s plot, which tells the story of a young man building a continental online drug cartel.

the large scale art installation stood outside bikini berlin for 10 days

in collaboration with basa studio and oldyellow in berlin, chemical X had the meticulous task of manufacturing and setting up the installation in only six weeks. the pills were produced by the same manufacturer who confections the fake drugs for the show: rock & roll bonbonmanufaktur ehrenfeld, who provided pills in 20 different shades. according to the pills’ fabricator, wolf schiebel, it took 35 kilos of pigment to come up with the pigments necessary to create this mosaic. the wall was also made out of 3 separate layers: an aluminum dibond sheet as a base, an acrylic sheet with holes to hold the pills; and an outer acrylic sheet, to prevent the pills from moving.

the mosaic centers on the main character of the show

the placement of the pills was a delicate process that in the end required around 16 people to complete, but placing the wall in its designated location was just as tough a job as creating the mosaic itself. by dividing the wall into a few 100kg plaques, the piece was successfully installed with the assistance of a crane.

the team had only six weeks to manufacture and set up the installation

details of the protagonist’s face

close up of the colored pills

project info:

name: netflix art installation advertising for how to sell drugs online (fast)

location: berlin, germany

artist: chemical X

in collaboration with: basa studio and oldyellow

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom