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Healing Botanical

Hybridized boudoir chair and footrest upholstered with soft vinyl and custom designed fabric

Breast cancer treatment is re-presented as an ornate feminine dressing table—both sensual
and clinical. Celebrating the vulnerable beauty and sexuality of breast cancer patients, an unusual 'inside-out' bra hangs from an IV stand. The photographic imagery on this intimate apparel reveals the anatomical structure of the lobes and ducts of the breast.


The upholstered chair fabric pattern is a botanical print with a difference. Cancer cells
inhabit the amorphous pink shapes connected by a trail of human chromosome 17, where the BRCA1—the inheritable breast cancer gene is located. Small molecules represent the chemotherapy drug Taxol that is derived from the pacific yew tree and other plant compounds.
In the center of this network is a large Taxol molecule with pacific yew berries attached.
The 'bouquet' is composed of pacific yew branches and flax flowers. The ligans in flax are
being studied as a breast cancer preventative.

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Through an audio experience, listeners hear the sounds of faux jingles advertising breast cancer fundraising items to promote "awareness" and personal stories from individuals recovering from chemotherapy and cancer. Issues surrounding bodily examination and identity, medical practice, and the ethics of commodity fundraising are raised by this tableau.
Pinking—audio
2:27   Slash and burn
  :46   Pink stuff sold here

4:13   Informed
Additional selection 
3:27   Pinkwashing: capitalism or support?

Picture
Pinking
Picture
Inspection wallpaper
Picture
Mnemosyne's daughters

Breast cancer tableau
Breast cancer chair portraits
Breast cancer tableau process

info@thewaitingroomproject.org
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