Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor is the latest immersive installation by Frankx Lefavre. Like all of his work, it is deep in imagery and symbolism, but it is also and in difference to his previous works, a very personal piece.
“Serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the primary drug used to treat anxiety, depression and panic attacks. Last December, I was given a LEA grant for 2016. By January, I was suffering major attacks of anxiety and panic leading to depression. This is the resultant build,” Frankx says candidly of the piece.
The result is a piece that is deeply immersive installation making extensive use of projected lights and colours (so you’ll need to have ALM enabled in your viewer). In entering it, you are literally entering the artist’s mind, and witnessing first hand the tumult and confusion of a mind in turmoil and at odds with itself. Light, colour and sculptures all conveying the sweep of emotions: the helpless sense of falling; the demons of the subconscious looming over all thoughts and feelings, and the desire for calm and emotional stability, which is perhaps symbolised by the image of Buddha located on one side of the installation.
Such is the evocative richness within the piece, it really is one to be experienced, rather than witnessed in words and still images. For those who have experienced Frankx’s situation, there is perhaps catharsis and a demonstration that there is healing and release. for those fortunate to nave never trod this path, there is the opportunity for insight into what it is like, something one would hope foster greater understanding in our response to those suffering from anxiety, fear and panic.
Given it is a visual piece, I’m not going to say too much more about it here, other than to strongly urge people to hop over the LEA 23 and see it first hand. instead, I’ll leave you with a video in the hope that it will encourage you to do so. This is a truly extraordinary piece of art.
SLurl Details
- Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (Rated: Moderate)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 