The Gospel Truth

To what extent is the trend of hyper-positivity and enthusiasm responsible for today’s prevalent misuse of anti-anxiety medications? Researching an almost paranoiac rejection of negative emotions in our visual language and everyday life, I want to bring attention to a questionable industry that feeds off escapism and benzodiazepine abuse. This project talks about the tyranny of modern enthusiasm, aiming to show how an over-performative work culture, self-help market, hyper-positive ideology, and prescription drugs are all pieces of the same self-medicating puzzle. This project is my Bachelor Graduation Project for the Graphic Design department at KABK and is represented in a form of an audio-podcast and an installation with a supportive visual essay in the form of video. Photography by Roel Backaert