A series of 900 resin coated lollies is the latest installation from Miss Bugs at the Jealous Gallery in Shoreditch. Entitled ‘Do No Harm’ this is a show about obsession and social media. Contained within them, a range of pharmaceuticals. The works make the link between addiction and our obsession with digital technology.
“The ice lollies represent the churn of the social network” say Miss Bugs. “The posed selfies, the frothy coffee top photos and the cute animal videos side of the internet that we all like to binge on. But inside it’s rotten and sick.”
The title of the exhibition ‘Do No Harm’ is taken from the Hippocratic Oath. This is the oath which doctors swear by to maintain an ethical practice with patients. It is of course ironic in this exhibition. The candy on the outside sugar coating the sickness within.
“Digital technology whilst being a sweetener in our lives perpetually distracts us with a constant, addictive stream of information and temptation” say Miss Bugs. “The internet becomes a space where reason and logic are trumped by fake news, and people with extremes of opinion can shout each other down.”
The show draws on the theme of addiction to digital technology. How over exposure to news reels and digital feeds can act as an anesthetic and numb the sense of reality. Algorithms which mean people can become stuck in their own ‘echo chamber’. Only gaining access to content that has been externally chosen to be suitable for them.
Miss Bugs are a duo who formed in the early part of 2007. Originally coming from a background in photography and graphics. Their work takes iconic imagery from pop culture and art history. They then reform it using collage and other mixed media methods.
Miss Bugs ‘Do No Harm‘ showcases between Thursday 4 July 2019 and Sunday 21 July 2019. The exhibition takes place at the Jealous Gallery in Shoreditch.
