Assorted Agues and Afflictions

Psychoanalysis is a set of theories and therapeutic techniques related to the study of the unconcious mind, which together form a method of treatment for mental-health disorders. The discipline was established in the early 1890s by Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud.

Wikipedia

Ingvild Eiring talks about “Assorted Agues and Afflictions” in this film by Tor Arne Moen

Ague

a fit of fever or shivering or shaking chills, accompanied by malaise, pains in the bones and joints, etc.; chill.

The Inspiration

I got the idea for this diorama when a psychoanalyst in France told me that my dioramas scared him. Seeing mice in human situations was very disturbing for him. So then, making a psychotherapy scene seemed like the thing to do.

Sigmund-Freuds’ psychoanalytic office in Vienna

The Therapist

The Patient

I did a lot of research to find inspiration for emotions and expression for the patient.  I looked at old photos, as well as movie-stills from films and images from plays about Freud.

The Statues

One of the reasons I wanted to use Freuds office as reference for this diorama,, was the fact that he collected art and antique sculptures.

I had fun recreating some of those, and adding a few extra, like Pazuzu, Chthulu and a trophy-claw from my own cat

Drawings and paintings

Freud had an interesting selection of artworks on his walls.I took inspiration from the links found on the Freud Museum website, and made some miniature replicas, with a twist.Using pastels, coloured pencil, graphite, oil-paint and there is also one relieff, made from polymer clay.

One of the artworks on Freuds’ walls; Jean-Martin Charcot demonstrating hysteria in a patient at the Salpetriere.

P.A.A. Brouillet, 1887.

My version

The Chair

Woodwork combined with some sculpting.

Books, books, books

The Desk

At a flee market I found an old broken coffee-grinder. It was a perfect starting-point for a desk.