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Death Penalty Focus

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Images #

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_1_v5.jpg
Foreground: Gallows Composite B (John Brown Gallows, Lincoln Conspirators Gallows, Billy Bailey Gallows); Background: History of Death Row; Death Row Exonerations; Increases; Criminologists View; Financial Facts, 2008
Dimensions variable
Photo credit: Christophe Delory

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_5_v5.jpg
Left: History of Death Row; Death Row Exonerations; Increases; Criminologists View; Financial Facts; Right: Gallows Composite B (John Brown Gallows, Lincoln Conspirators Gallows, Billy Bailey Gallows), 2008
Dimensions variable
Photo credit: Christophe Delory

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_6_v5.jpg
Gallows Composite B (John Brown Gallows, Lincoln Conspirators Gallows, Billy Bailey Gallows), 2008
Dimensions variable
Photo credit: Christophe Delory

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_7_v5.jpg
Gallows Composite B (John Brown Gallows, Lincoln Conspirators Gallows, Billy Bailey Gallows), 2008
Dimensions variable
Photo credit: Christophe Delory

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_8_v4.jpg
Gallows Composite B (John Brown Gallows, Lincoln Conspirators Gallows, Billy Bailey Gallows), 2008
Dimensions variable
Photo credit: Christophe Delory

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_9_v4.jpg
Gallows Composite B (John Brown Gallows, Lincoln Conspirators Gallows, Billy Bailey Gallows), 2008
Dimensions variable
Photo credit: Christophe Delory

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_10_v9.jpg
Gallows Composite C (Haymarket Gallows, Rainey Bethea Gallows, John Brown Gallows, Saddam Hussein Gallows), 2008
Wood, Spray enamel, mirror
26″ × 47 1/2″ × 52″
Photo credit: Adam Reich

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_13_v7.jpg
Criminologists View, 2008
Graphite on paper
30″ × 22″
Photo credit: Christophe Delory

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_14_v7.jpg
Death Penalty Last, 2008
Graphite on paper
30″ × 22″
Photo credit: Christophe Delory

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_15_v6.jpg
Death Row Exonerations, 2008
Graphite on paper
30″ × 22″
Photo credit: Christophe Delory

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_16_v5.jpg
Education, 2008
Graphite on paper
30″ × 22″
Photo credit: Christophe Delory

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_17_v6.jpg
Financial Facts, 2008
Graphite on paper
30″ × 22″
Photo credit: Christophe Delory

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_18_v6.jpg
History of Death Row, 2008
Graphite on paper
30″ × 22″
Photo credit: Christophe Delory

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_19_v6.jpg
Increases, 2008
Graphite on paper
30″ × 22″
Photo credit: Christophe Delory

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_20_v6.jpg
Race Executed, 2008
Graphite on paper
30″ × 22″
Photo credit: Christophe Delory

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_22_v6.jpg
Recent Studies, 2008
Graphite on paper
30″ × 22″
Photo credit: Christophe Delory

http://samdurant.net/files/gimgs/th-16_21_v6.jpg
Support for Life, 2008
Graphite on paper
30″ × 22″
Photo credit: Christophe Delory


Text #

Like many nations, the United States has a long history of executing its prisoners, dating back to its founding settlements, which, unfortunately continues today. The focus of the Death Penalty/Gallows project is to create a sense of that historical continuity. The project consists of sculptural works, graphite drawings, publications and a planned public artwork. The sculptures are comprised of scale architectural models of seven historically significant gallows. There second set consists of various combinations of different gallows built on top of and into each other to form a single unit. In the combination models each gallows is stacked, so that the deck of the oldest is at the bottom, and each successive layer is built up chronologically. They are positioned on top of each other using the trap doors as center. One of the variations of the gallows combinations will be selected for full-scale construction in a public venue. The public will be able to climb the staircases and access the deck, hopefully spending some time reflecting on capital punishment.