Art Installations

Ianthe Jackson: Cellblock 9

Cellblock 9 is a series of projected faces animating diverse expressions in a series of nine cells. Each of the animated faces express different psychological states -- a representation of the humanity of the imprisoned individual.

The faces reveal individual identities, expressions and voices. At the same time they are physically intangible, much the same way a prisoner is intangible to their families and communities. One can only look, but can¥t hear, touch or communicate, one can only observe. The interaction between the viewer and the projected image is similar to the separation between the prisoner and the community from which they have been taken.

When a person is taken out of his or her community and locked up, he or she becomes a ward of the state; all of his or her rights are taken away and he or she ¥disappears¥ from society. The prisoner is gone from the daily experience to those on the outside and vice versa. For the prisoner, his or her human rights and identity are taken away and recreated within the culture of confinement. In a certain way the prisoner is a ghost of society.

Ianthe Jackson is currently a Graduate fellowship student at Tyler School of Art in the sculpture department. She received her BFA at School of Visual Arts in New York City and received a residency at the Sculpture Space in Utica NY during the Summer of 2003. Her work deals with ideas of environment and experience and it¥s impact on people physically and mentally.

This installation was funded in part by the Tyler School of Art and the Temple University Graduate School.