The enigmatic UK collective known as Miss Bugs will unveil their Do No Harm installation featuring 900 pharmaceutical-grade resin ice lollies (Popsicles) at Jealous Gallery in London on Thursday (7.4, 6:30 – 8:30 PM). With the hand-made popsicles, Miss Bugs carry their signature technique of resin embedded objects from their elaborate mosaic-style 2D portraits to easily-consumed, limited-edition objects.
Introduced at their Echo Chamber exhibition last November, the seductively visceral popsicles feature candy-colored, translucent resin embedded with jarring fillings: pills, ‘used’ hypodermic needles, and surgical razor blades. The eye-catching pieces are intended as riffs on the addictive and harmful nature of social networks.
The new popsicle editions feature the installation’s title, Do No Harm, emblazoned on the ‘stick’ (jesmonite marble plinth). Taken from the Hippocratic Oath sworn to by physicians, the ironic title hints at the potential wounds that social medical can inflict. Beneath the sweet, tasty exterior of beautiful imagery and mesmerizing videos lies the dangers of toxic social interaction with precious little real-world accountability including the viral spread of false information, and abusive, troll-like behavior.
Packaged in pristine, pharmaceutical-style packaging, the Do No Harm Ice Lollies will be available in a mix of four colors (orange, yellow, striped, and blue) with an array of fillings: surgical blades, hypos, assorted pills and Viagra. Limited to 750 handmade pieces (each unique), these resin art pieces will be available at the opening and then online from Jealous Gallery beginning on Friday (7.5) at 4 AM PDT for £99 ($126) each.
