Virtual reconstructions of imaginary places traditionally focus only on the
modeling of physical architectural features -geometry, proportionality, and
measurement. Other elements that could communicate the subjective experiencing
of the place are often relegated to second priority.
In this book I approach virtual reconstruction from a cinematic perspective
integrating narrative, light modeling and sound and address the subjective
experiencing of a place: the memories Uruguayan women have of the calabozo
(solitary confinement cell).
In June of 2002, I went to Uruguay and interviewed nine female former political
prisoners of the Uruguayan dictatorship (1973-85). My research aimed at
relating their experience of prison through a video installation based on these
women's personal stories of the calabozo.
This book is the product of my research over a period of five years and is
intended mainly to social scientists such as architects, archaeologists, film
and video scholars. However, the visualization of the calabozo experience
aims at a general public. It creates a symbolic place -a memorial- to each of
these women, individually and collectively. The women of the calabozo
embody the extraordinary power of the human spirit we all have.