Artangel.org.uk brings extraordinary art to unexpected places. I had the privilege to find out about them and enjoy their “Inside Reading Prison” some days ago. Those above are some photos I took there and I definitely encourage you to go and get inspired before it all vanishes away by the end of this month.
Reading prison was designed by George Gilbert Scott. Known as the leading architect of the gothic revival. He created some celebrated constructions like St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel among many others.
In 1895 Oscar Wilde was imprisoned in Reading Gaol, like the institution was called at the time, sentenced two years after committing “acts of gross indecency with other male persons”.
The memory of Wilde’s reclusion and the letter “De Profundis” he wrote while in his enclosement are the starting points for this astonishing exhibit. Artists and writers like Wolfgang Tillmans, Nan Goldin, Roni Horn, Marlene Dumas, Ai Wei Wei and many others have worked together to bring projects around reflexion, solitude, separation, suffering, desire, memory, and more to the cells and corridors of the obscure and colourful enchanted building.
https://www.artangel.org.uk/project/inside/