© Mathieu Pernot
Prison
From 6 February 2019 to 18 August 2019
“We too are the punishers”.
This short yet powerful sentence forces us to stop and consider our shared responsibility for perpetuating a system that so regularly makes the headlines.
With its bold and unconventional design, the exhibition looks at incarceration from all angles – from imprisonment and exclusion to detention conditions, social reintegration and restorative justice. Each of these equally compelling notions serves as a reminder that incarceration is a complex and multidisciplinary issue.
In addition to exploring the historical, philosophical, anthropological and sociological aspects of incarceration, the exhibition features musical creations, photos, literary excerpts, films and first-hand accounts. In revealing the ambiguous reality of detention, it breaks down stereotypes and raises the possibility of alternatives to a punitive system that dates back to the 18th century.
Produced in partnership with the Musée des Confluences in Lyon and the Deutsches Hygiene-Museum in Dresden, Prison delivers a reflection on incarceration that goes beyond the prison walls and highlights the paradoxes of contemporary society.