Where a Jail Cell Becomes Art and Protest
By Robert Waddell, March 23, 2010
During Lent it’s customary for the faithful to give up something for a higher calling or the greater good. What about someone’s freedom?
In the new interactive art installation “Thirty Days for 30 Years,” volunteers freely give up their liberty protesting for the release of Puerto Rican Political Prisoners Oscar Lopez Rivera and Carlos Alberto Torres. For nearly a month, a protestor lives in a 6” X 9” cell to highlight the plight of Rivera and Torres and to inform the public about the struggles of these and all political prisoners.
“I still have access to the world,” said Hip Hop artist La Tere on March 17th, day 15. She sat in a cell that was also a window display on view to the entire East Harlem Community in a storefront next to the FB lounge, run by the owners of La Fonda Boricua.
Lah Tere read to this reporter from her journal about experiencing, for only a brief time, what it’s like to be in a jail cell. She wrote, “I am hurt, filled with anger, remorseful, irritated, disturbed, hopeless, hopeful, passionate, thriving, present, powerful, engaged, impacted, tortured, sad, locked down, a roller coaster ride of emotions.”
She said that these feelings were the message that she wanted her involvement in the interactive art installation to display. The exhibition, which is in part a demonstration as well as guerilla theatre, conveys to the community the meaning of 30 years in jail, she said.
Lah Tere said that the installation would give people on the outside a look into a world where prisoners are told when to bathe, eat, exercise, go to the bathroom and go outside. The installation began in 2005 in Chicago to originally mark the 25th anniversary of the political prisoner’s incarceration.
Not a rally, protest or handing out pamphlets, “Thirty Days for 30 Years” was a more creative way of getting the message out said Michael Reyes, one of the lead artists on the project.
“This stimulates the senses,” said Reyes. “It’s not photos or art work but all can see the space where the prisoners are stuck to evoke the feeling of what it’s like.”
Reyes said that he was impressed with volunteers, like Lah Tere, The Welfare Poets, activist Isolina de la Cruz, poet Prisonera and artist Melissa Montero, who were willing to give up a full day of their lives to lend their voices and bodies to the interactive installation. The mock inmates have had friends and family visit, which for Reyes is that the message will reach individuals in a ripple, grassroots way.
“I was in a cell for about 12 hours. I had a window and I was in contact with other people the whole day,” said activist Isolina De La Cruz, “It doesn't even compare to what our political prisoners are undergoing….Just imagine 30 years. I volunteered …because I thought it would raise awareness to the people in our community but it ended up transforming my way of perceiving the struggle to free our political prisoners.”
Torres and Rivera were two of a group of Puerto Rican Nationalists arrested on April 4th, 1980. They were charged with seditious conspiracy. In 1999, after a lengthy campaign, some of the political prisoners were released. Now Rivera and Torres are scheduled for release in 2027 and 2024.
“I agreed to be locked up because …as part of the group National Boricua Human Rights Network-New York Chapter,” said Laura N. Benitez. “… I believe in the cause … The art installation also provides momentum to motivate people to join the campaign in freeing the political prisoners.”
Melissa Montero called the experience of staying a day in jail for a day “eye opening.” When she woke in the morning, she said that her body was sore but the experience gave her insight into what the political prisoners must have experienced for the last 30 years.
“It felt great when I had visitors because it made the day go by faster but then when I was alone for more than two hours without seeing anyone familiar I felt a little lonely,” said Montero. “I decided to be a part of this project…to help in liberating them: anything to make this world a better place.”
According to Lah Tere and Reyes, the art installation is a continuation of the struggle to free the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners. At the installation, up until April 3rd, visitors have an opportunity to sign a petition for the prisoner’s immediate release.
“This is where art, community and political organizing intersect,” said Lah Tere. “It’s a dialogue we’re having through art, something more alternative….bold in your face but not someone screaming but an evocative way of getting the message out.” |
