Evelyne Koeppel collects snippets of time and traces transitions from one state to another. Time is perceived differently at different ages and according to different life experiences. Fun and fulfilling activities dissolve time rapidly, but it becomes thick and heavy when burdens and torment saturate the years. According to Koeppel, time in prison is the ultimate waiting room: waiting for mail, for family visits, lawyers, parole hearings. Her interest in the experience of being jailed led her to pursue Inside Out. The room-sized interactive installation includes three private phone booths that have recorded personal messages left by family members for their loved ones in prison. Koeppel sought out relatives of prisoners and asked them to talk to her as if they were talking to a jailed relative. She asked them to leave a message even though it is uncertain whether or not the prisoner would ever hear the sentiments expressed. The result is a poignant series of humanist sound portraits that reveal deep and bitter emotions, hope, despair and lives lost and rescued.

San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art
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