Description

Welcome to the thought-provoking and immersive world of Belmarsh Live - an art installation created by Leipzig-based artist Manja McCade and activist conceptualist Tom Aslan. This powerful and emotional art project is based on the shocking and unjust incarceration of Julian Assange, a journalist who has been held in solitary confinement at Belmarsh high-security prison in London since 2019. Manja was deeply moved by the injustice Julian was facing and decided to create an art installation that would convey the torment and torture he was enduring in a way that a painting could not. The result is a hauntingly realistic recreation of Julian's cell, designed to replicate the sensory experience of being confined in such a small and oppressive space. Visitors to the installation are invited to step inside and feel for themselves the psychological toll of solitary confinement. Belmarsh Live goes beyond the physical experience of the cell, however. Everything that happens within the installation is broadcast online, allowing people all over the world to witness and understand the realities of Julian's situation. It is a powerful statement about the importance of public art and the role it can play in social and political discourse. This groundbreaking project draws inspiration from the likes of Joseph Beuys and Christoph Schlingensief, artists who were unafraid to tackle difficult and controversial topics in their work. Belmarsh Live continues this tradition by inviting audiences to engage with one of the most pressing issues of our time - the erosion of freedom of the press and the unjust treatment of those who seek to expose the truth. Join us as we take Belmarsh Live on the road, spreading awareness and understanding about the plight of Julian Assange and the importance of free speech in a democratic society.