Pink Cells
2013-2017
During one of my classes at Ecal for which the subject was “destruction,” I started investigating enclosure and incarceration, and links in those themes between America where I grew up and Switzerland where I live now. In my research I found an article about pink prison cell rooms which exist in these two countries among others.
Alexander G. Schauss was a believer in a German theory in which the color one would choose could help understand the inner mental state of someone. He then wanted to reverse that effect to learn whether choosing shades of colors would make people feel a certain way. In the late 70's in America, Schauss discovered the tranquilizing and aggression reducing effect of a certain shade of pink, to which he later referred as "Baker-Miller Pink" or "Drunk Tank Pink".
Since 2007 the Swiss color psychologist Daniela Späth developed "Cool Down Pink" in Switzerland. In a scientific study she was able to demonstrate the suppression of blood pressure and the anti-corrosive effect of the color. If applied appropriately, hostile or aggressive behavior can be calmed down by the colour within about 15 minutes.
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This project has been awraded and exhibited at Vevey Images Festival 2018 (Switzerland) and earned the Broncolor Light distinction given to me by Christian Marclay the president of the jury and followed by Luce Lebart, Simon Baker, Darius Himes and Lars Boering.
Pink Cells was also shown at Circulation(s) Festival in Paris in March 2018 which is held each year at "Le 104" and shows a selection of Europe's emerging young talents. The festival then moved to Libanon and the Mucem Museum (cf. CV).
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