The 16 BARS PROJECT aims to help young vulnerable minds to stay out of prison and to create awareness of the subject matter with the help of art.
The aim is to create a dialogue between prisoners and society at large, enabling an eye-level encounter.
Black and white portraits are the starting point of of the visual exploration, challenging a confrontation with the individual and preconceptions of the subjects. Prisoners often mention a sensation of not only being locked up but also feelings of absolute abandonment. This project aims to overcome exactly this adandoning and forgetting. Additional interviews expand into the emotional world of the (ex)-prisoners with their biography. But not only their own personal stories are being focus of attention, we also observe a broad reflection upon all sides that are part of that process, like victims and judiciary.