- This topic is empty.
-
This is… MyBrainOnDrugs. In 2002 I was diagnosed with HIV and unfortunately quickly progressed to an AIDS diagnosis (TCell count below 200). Fortunately I started taking the available medications for HIV treatment. After a long period of trying different combinations of meds I was able to fully recover and reach an “undetectable” state (viral load below a detectable state). Prior to testing positive for HIV I suffered a case of shingles on the left side of my face. I later learned that shingles could be a sign of a new HIV infection. I had to get an MRI of my head to check for possible nerve damage that shingles can cause. HIV itself and HIV drugs can also cause a type of nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy that I was suffering from. As soon as I had seen the MRI's of my brain I instantly knew that I had to do something with them. So for over 2 years now, from concept to completion, I have been working on “MyBrainOnDrugs”.
 Â
I first thought of obtaining a regular doctor's office x-ray light box to display the MRI scans of my brain. I decide to build my own though. I wanted to use my medicine containers as well so around the edges I glued on my used syringes and vials from a new injectable medication that I tried for awhile in order to reach undetectable. On the backside of the frame are leftover medicine bottles for the meds which I take every day. They house the fluorescent lights used to illuminate the scans.The whole process of creating MyBrainOnDrugs has worked for me on many different levels. It has been very therapeutic psychologically in dealing with HIV. It is empowering. It allows me to take control and responsibility for my disease. I can look at it in a comical way and have fun with it. I'm even recycling my medical waste! It can be a topic to educate and inform others about HIV. I'm always happy and open to talking about my experience with my HIV. It was just plain fun putting it together.  I can see my own brain and eyeballs and nasal cavities in a 360 degree view of my entire head…how cool is that!? It felt very “mad scientist-ish” at times when I was constructing it. I used my handheld Dremmel cordless power drill with a circular cutting blade to cut and shape the medicines bottles so they could hold the lighting fixtures in place. The cutting blade was like one a coroner would use to open up the skull cavity of a cadaver and extract the brain. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process. Â
One of my favorite artists is Ed Paschke (RIP). He would visit murder/body disposal sights of serial killer victims for artistic inspiration. I totally understand using the dark and macabre as inspiration. The insight gained when trying to comprehend the extremes and oddities of human behavior can bring forth ideas, concepts and emotions one may not have experienced before. Scratching/recognizing your own little dark side in a creative and open manner is healthy. Thank you for listening and letting me express myself. Now let”s party!!!  ;D ;D ;D
Paul
