The Deeper They Bury Me

Ever since a controversial conviction for the murder of a prison guard in 1972, Herman Wallace has been living in solitary confinement in Louisiana State Penitentiary. This interactive documentary allows the user to look around both his cramped cell and the imaginary home he was asked to design by the artist Jackie Sumell, who was curious about what sort of dream house such a long-term prisoner would come up with. Wallace’s world opens up, step by step, as the user moves around it. Behind some of the objects in the cell and the house we find a short video clip in which Wallace provides information, as if in a telephone conversation. He talks about the consequences of his isolation, the permanent camera surveillance, the lack of privacy and his mental deterioration. Animations depict his dreams and desires, while archive footage and clips from interviews with those who were there illustrate the bizarre penal system in the United States. Wallace’s temporary relocation to a communal dormitory is a high point in his existence. But it’s also a short stint, because soon afterwards he’s back living under the harsh daily regime of 23 hours in his cell and one hour of exercise. We’re allowed to walk wherever we want, but for no longer than 20 minutes, which is the maximum amount of time a prisoner can spend on the phone each day.

Unfortunately, the technology used to make this interactive project available online is no longer supported. However, new solutions to preserve and update projects technically are continuously being explored within the interactive field. Whenever possible, we will bring this project back online.

For documentation and more information on the project, check out the links.