Copaxone (2007)

For the 23rd ECTRIMS, the world’s largest medical convention on the research and treatment of multiple sclerosis, ART+COM developed the presentation for the medication Copaxone. In an interplay that included interactive media table, live moderator and off-speaker, the complex operation of Copaxone was explained to the convention participants in graphic detail.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Nerve pathways that have been damaged by inflammations lead to tingling sensations and other sensory disturbances as well as impaired vision, severe spasticity and paralysis. Copaxone, manufactured by the Israeli pharmaceutical company Teva, reduces the number of thrusts with which the disease progresses and the centres of inflammation that cause irreversible disabilities.

It commences at the touch-sensitive table by having a moderator demonstrate how the neuronal structure of a healthy person is changed by MS. The convention participants can see that memories are destroyed and replaced by black holes. The installation demonstration is supplemented by an integrated voice-over, which explains how the functions of Copaxone, including changing immune cells.

The visitors are repeatedly invited to interact: They create connections between individual nerve cells and can transport the medication to the place where it takes effect. The installation thereby visualises in real-time the effect of the medication on memory. In conclusion, the positive long-term effects of the medication are shown in time lapse.

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