Digital Filming Week
Image description:
(July 13, 2023 - Image with three people)
There is a gap of knowledge regarding technology and release. It’s a steep learning curve that induces anxiety, especially for those who have been incarcerated for an extended period of time. A.R.T. & Justice has received permissions to bring tablets into three B.C. federal prisons. As well as interviews from formally incarcerated folks, the tablets will contain art tutorials, virtual art tours, and art creation apps. The tablets were tested by parolees to ascertain user friendliness and learnability, for those with little exposure to technology.
(Right-side text)
My first impression of digital filming week was “This content is going to help a lot of people.” There was a huge space that looked like a working art studio, with places to think, work, create art that consisted of painting, beading, drum making, music, found art sculpture, fashion, filmmaking, stamping, and cooking. The week offered opportunities to try different kinds of art, other than their chosen media. The week concluded with each artist being interviewed about their art. Individuals were not only being seen through their art, but heard as well.
The interviews are loaded onto a tablet to send into the prisons so incarcerated people can witness what's available upon release in the form of art support and community, while learning about technology on their tablets.
(Bottom left image: Textile Art)
(Bottom right image: Painting)
Quote
“The digital filming week was important because people inside prison aren’t aware of what’s possible upon release. They don’t have information, knowledge and don’t usually seek support as they’re programmed to believe they are inhuman. It’s a priceless commodity for people inside to be able to unburden their emotions and learn that they are not alone. The filming highlights that incarcerated and previously incarcerated individuals will be/are residing in the community doing art, being successful and that they’re not pariahs.”
-Angelee Porter
