Paper short abstract:

Co-authored by the anthropologist and her interlocutor in long term solitary confinement in a US maximum security prison, this textual collage interrogates the meaning and power of metamorphosis achieved through a range of creative and expressive bodily practices.

Paper long abstract:

This paper shares excerpts from two years of written exchanges between friends: a white well-traveled anthropologist and an African American prisoner who has spent 29 years in solitary confinement on Death Row in Pennsylvania. They co-author this presentation that reveals an 'inside' that challenges most popular and academic representations made of prisoner experience and personhood. Their textual exchanges will explore individually and collaboratively figured ideas about how power, both personal and relational, can be harnessed by disciplining the body through a broad range of creative and expressive practices. These practices include martial arts, body-building, meditation, prayer, fasting, painting, the reading and writing of poetry and prose, and the composing of letters. Such physical and mental work also includes speaking back to poor conditions and racism, studying the law and seeking justice for oneself and others through it. The anthropologist and prisoner reflect on how their discussion may have meaning for others. They also ask each other questions and challenge each other to think about how and why meaningful metamorphoses can take place against all physical and mental odds. They think about why certain bodily techniques facilitate such profound and life affirming changes, and then turn their gaze outward to think about why various public and State discourses and practices would seek to stifle them. Finally they share their visions for a future metamorphosis that leads to freedom and the possibilities of a State without bars.