Series description
This series of photographs corresponds to objects seized by prison officials. In them, handmade objects are identified with the principle of Creatio ex Nihilo, and with Torrance's definition of creative ability as fulfilled on the basis of identifying gaps in knowledge or deficiencies, and the subsequent search for solutions. In photographing these objects, I identify their effectiveness in relation to their intended result: personal defence, spoken communication, or self-expression through tattooing.
The definition of creativity has changed throughout the history of humankind, and so has the term itself. From the earliest civilisations, and practically up to the present day, the power to create was only attributed to God. God was the only one who could create out of nothing. This series considers the creative abilities of people in confined, heavily watched environments, keeping in mind the ways in which we have defined and perceived creativity in past scholarship and discourse. Each image description is an adapted excerpt from an official report at Picassent Prison, Valencia.
Biography
R.B (Valencia 1975) International photographer awarded with the World Press Photo and Fuji Euro Press Photo Awards, among others, he has maintained throughout his extensive and recognized career the condition of photography as a means to represent another reality.
He has a degree in History of Art by in Valencia and at the present time he works as a freelance photographer.
His work has been published in Der Spiegel, Republica delle Donne, El País Semanal, Next Level, Squire.
Untitled
‘Objects confiscated at Picassent Prison, Valencia. The undersigned Chief of Services hereby brings to your attention events that occurred on 28 December 2021, 08:00h. Two Inmates (father and son) are quarantined in module 13 after special leave on 23 December 2021 to visit the mother of X and grandmother of Z sick. They took advantage of the special leave to introduce prohibited objects: a small bag with brown powder, presumably heroin, was seized, hidden in the seam of a pair of jeans, which they would possibly distribute. Given that they may have in their possession a mobile phone, which has not been found during a search, we will inquire about this and request their cooperation.’
© Raúl Belinchón, Spain, Shortlist, Professional competition, Still Life, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Untitled
‘Objects confiscated at Picassent Prison, Valencia. The undersigned Chief of Services hereby brings to your attention the facts of events that occurred on 28 July 2021, 17:30h. Inmate reports to the department in a handwritten note that he is being threatened by X, Y, Z. In an interview he informed us that they have hidden spikes which he fears will be used in an attack. On searching X, Y, Z, we found a sharp object made with a piece of plastic from the detector arch.’
© Raúl Belinchón, Spain, Shortlist, Professional competition, Still Life, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Untitled
‘Object confiscated at Picassent Prison, Valencia. The undersigned Head of Services hereby brings to your attention the facts of events that occurred on 22 March 2021, 20:00h. Inmate voluntarily gave a skewer to the officer. Aforementioned inmate is under an escort order.’
© Raúl Belinchón, Spain, Shortlist, Professional competition, Still Life, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Untitled
‘Object confiscated at Picassent Prison, Valencia. The undersigned Head of Services hereby brings to your attention the facts of events that occurred on 17 October 2016, 11:30h. During a pat-down search conducted in this inmate's cell, a spike made from the handle of a lighter and the blade of a pair of scissors was found. The inmate says he uses it as a screwdriver (the tip is square). No action is taken other than seizure.’
© Raúl Belinchón, Spain, Shortlist, Professional competition, Still Life, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Untitled
‘Object confiscated at Picassent Prison, Valencia. The undersigned Chief of Services hereby brings to your attention the facts of events that occurred on 30 November 2021, 16:51h. On searching the belongings of Inmate X, officers siezed two sharp and pointed pieces of chair of about 20 cm each in the manner of sickles.’
© Raúl Belinchón, Spain, Shortlist, Professional competition, Still Life, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Untitled
‘Object confiscated at Picassent Prison, Valencia. The undersigned Head of Services hereby brings to your attention the facts of events that occurred on 28 May 2018, 13:30h. A search of cell 17 occupied by Inmate X was carried out and a sharp bone was found hidden in a pair of slippers, which could be used as a weapon, and which the Inmate admitted to be his property.’
© Raúl Belinchón, Spain, Shortlist, Professional competition, Still Life, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Untitled
‘Object confiscated at Picassent Prison, Valencia. The undersigned Head of Services hereby brings to your attention the facts of events that occurred on 15 September 2021, 18:30h. Inmate with the intention of leaving the module, possibly due to debts incurred, delivers to the office a mobile phone hidden in a deodorant can. After inquiries and questions to the inmate it appears that he had a friendship with inmate Z who was transferred to module 28 and wanted to leave with him.’
© Raúl Belinchón, Spain, Shortlist, Professional competition, Still Life, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Untitled
‘Object confiscated at Picassent Prison, Valencia. The undersigned Head of Services hereby brings to your attention the facts of events that occurred on 5 June 2021,16:00h. After searching the cell of inmate X, he is found to have a handmade tattoo machine.’
© Raúl Belinchón, Spain, Shortlist, Professional competition, Still Life, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards