intricate paper insects delivering prescription drugs by merel slootheer

an intriguing combination of taxonomy, entomology and pharmacology, the insecta – pharma project may seem whimsical at first but it actually holds an important message from netherlands-based designer and maker, merel slootheer. by placing a singular pill at the center of a laser-cut insect shape, slootheer aims to draw attention to the prevalence of prescription drugs in society by comparing them with the universality of insects.

all images courtesy of merel slootheer

slootheer explains, ‘it started in 2013 as an autobiographical research project. I had already been dealing with health issues for a while by that time. I felt completely burnt-out, which resulted in a host of different physical complaints. it was out of my experience with being ill and having to take prescription drugs that I developed insecta – pharma.’

‘as my medical knowledge grew I began gathering up questions about health and medicine at an equal pace. are certain symptoms causes or effects? is there necessarily a difference between preventing and curing disease? where do we draw the line when it comes to the side effects of drugs, are they inescapable or unacceptable? I soon saw that these questions cannot be answered in a clear-cut way. one’s experiences with being on medication are personal, unique and often come with an emotional component. when you are prescribed a drug it can sometimes feel like being sentenced to a punishment, but it can also feel life-changing in a positive sense. taking a pill has, in many instances, become the most obvious course of action when faced with a range of issues,’ slootheer continues.

with insecta – pharma, slootheer highlights the omnipresence of prescription drugs, their indispensable role in our daily lives, and the ways in which they manifest themselves: their useful and beneficial traits concurrent with their negative side effects. like prized species that are mounted and framed, the small pills become a whole new group of insects with its own classification system.

project info:

project name: insecta – pharma

artist: merel slootheer

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