PENALTY AREA - The Experience of Punishment

Abstract: In this thesis work, I tried to explain my recent art practice by discussing my previous and recent projects. In my exhibition project, I summarized my work process involving space and public. I worked with computer keyboard keycaps in public spaces. I used keycaps as a medium in order to write sentences in public places. In a way, my work tries to associate the public with public space. After all experiences I wanted to keep working with keycaps and express my idea within a wider context. The exhibition place in Röda Sten was big influence to realize my work. There are big bricked up windows that are painted black and facing outside. They reminded me of blackboards, like those in used old schools in the did days. I chose to work on punishment when I saw the Röda Sten windows. Another important factor was the location of the exhibition place. The place is surrounded by much graffiti. I decided to use both inside and outside of the building. Those windows and my blackboard punishment idea provided a perfect combination for my project. I also wanted to make a connection between the exhibition place’s environment and my work. I got permission to make stencils on the exhibition place even though, it is still forbidden to make stencils or graffiti in public spaces in Sweden. The title of my work Penalty Area also fit perfectly with this contradiction.