Nino Bravo sang – of whom this year marks the 50th anniversary of his death – who “thinks that the wire fence is just a piece of metal, something that can never stop his desire to fly.” That letter could well serve to put the soundtrack to the workshop that he enjoyed on July 6 a group of prisoners from the Picassent prison. Specifically, the 17 inmates in the prison gave free rein to their imagination thanks to the mediation activity carried out by the Valencian Institute of Modern Art (IVAM)with the artist Alberto Feijóo in front, held in the same prison.
The artist from Alicante moved there with the mediation team of the museum to implement «the creation of images and alternative realities, as well as in the translation of other visual possibilities into photographic images of floral resources, paths, peripheral landscapes, skin or horizons that are the main engine of the proposal for the individual creation of small sets”, they said from the IVAM.
The result was a series of collages made by the prisoners in whom the artist has found himself «a people interested in sharing experiences and creative processes. They are very aware of their situation and want to move forward,” says Feijóo.
recurring themes
Of course, “freedom and longing for outer life they are very present in them. Almost all of the resulting collages had constant references to loved ones or life beyond prison. Also universal themes such as resilience, destiny and the meaning of human existence”, says the artist.
It was the first time that feijóo I was doing an activity in a prison, which is why “I didn’t have a preconceived idea, although you always have prejudices about places as stigmatized as penitentiaries. I went without a prior idea, although the social workers conveyed to us the enthusiasm and curiosity with which they were waiting for us”.
The artist, who these days exhibits «Trascity» at the IVAM, assures that he has also emerged stronger from the experience: «I learned that the time they have spent there has helped them reflect and look forward. Sometimes we have too many distractions in our daily lives, too many material things that cause us to become detached from ourselves and the world around us. The deprivation of liberty conditions you to live with the basics and knowing how to be with yourself in a pure and, on many occasions, raw way».
Unprejudiced
For her part, Sonia Martínez, deputy director of the IVAM, explains that “the prisoners have responded very generously, building from the beginning a climate of trust and closeness». “At the IVAM we work trying to reverse the possible prejudices that occur in all areas.”
Martínez adds that the benefits of this type of activity “are not very tangible, but we believe that they collaborate in a process of recovery of self-esteem, self-affirmation and transformation». So much so, that they will repeat throughout the summer and already have confirmed dates for the Torres Espioca Social Insertion Center, in Picassent, next Thursday; in Castellón II (Albocàsser) on the 24th, and on September 19 in Villena.
2023-07-19 10:51:28
#Art #free #imagination
