Is This the Work of Sadism or Love?
Justine Fuller, researcher
I use electrodes to measure the presence of dopamine and observe how it changes when cues predict that something rewarding is about to happen. We can see how this changes when ritalin affects neurons that release dopamine and we can understand more about how ritalin works - how it affects the processes that are going on inside an ADHD sufferer's brain. These are the shadows cast on the wall of our cave. We have to be careful how we interpret them, but it is much better than sitting in the dark.
Desi Liversage and Katya Gunn, Artists:
Having chosen the dopamine pleasure pathway project, we met with Justine to discuss her work. What struck us the most was the respect Justine had for the lab animals she worked with.
Initially we were wary about the use of a rat in the experiment as we are both animal lovers who struggle with animal experimentation. However, we have both had life threatening illnesses which we may not have survived without past animal research and acknowledge that it would be hypocritical of us to decry all experimentation. This work is our way of paying our debt of gratitude.
We decided to create a Memento Mori reliquary to our rat, acknowledging Justine’s research by taking our colour scheme from the graphs of her research and beading dopamine and sucrose molecules.
The rat, made of silk and Micky Mouse paisley, the spine evolving from bone to beaded dopamine molecules, lies in state on an ornate silk brocade cushion, surrounded by a frame of glass beads, delicate bones and gold thread. Crystal beaded sugar cubes are enclosed as a reward.
It was a rare privilege to work with these delicate, beautiful bones of sacrifice.
I use electrodes to measure the presence of dopamine and observe how it changes when cues predict that something rewarding is about to happen. We can see how this changes when ritalin affects neurons that release dopamine and we can understand more about how ritalin works - how it affects the processes that are going on inside an ADHD sufferer's brain. These are the shadows cast on the wall of our cave. We have to be careful how we interpret them, but it is much better than sitting in the dark.
Desi Liversage and Katya Gunn, Artists:
Having chosen the dopamine pleasure pathway project, we met with Justine to discuss her work. What struck us the most was the respect Justine had for the lab animals she worked with.
Initially we were wary about the use of a rat in the experiment as we are both animal lovers who struggle with animal experimentation. However, we have both had life threatening illnesses which we may not have survived without past animal research and acknowledge that it would be hypocritical of us to decry all experimentation. This work is our way of paying our debt of gratitude.
We decided to create a Memento Mori reliquary to our rat, acknowledging Justine’s research by taking our colour scheme from the graphs of her research and beading dopamine and sucrose molecules.
The rat, made of silk and Micky Mouse paisley, the spine evolving from bone to beaded dopamine molecules, lies in state on an ornate silk brocade cushion, surrounded by a frame of glass beads, delicate bones and gold thread. Crystal beaded sugar cubes are enclosed as a reward.
It was a rare privilege to work with these delicate, beautiful bones of sacrifice.