THE RULES OF THE GAME

If there were a simple way to define time, we might say it is a volatile concept, understood from the perspective of where one stands. Time holds different meanings and flows differently for each of us. Thus, we know that time is relative.

For those of us who inhabit a “normal” space, we align time with our daily activities and schedules—work, study, or leisure. But what happens to those whose lives are confined to a space where time is not only managed but seemingly frozen?

For someone deprived of their freedom, time becomes a quantifiable substance, as it defines both the future and the length of their stay in some place. Behind the walls, days transform into journeys that must be planned through endless repetitive practices, using survival strategies to combat boredom.

Play and art are vital in penitentiary spaces because they temporarily replace the order and uniformity of daily life. Play creates a parallel space to that of the prison—a different dimension—and becomes a tactic for escaping the monotony and weight of the prison routine. Art moves in the same direction but transcends it, as it not only requires an investment of time but also produces knowledge about the penitentiary context and, more importantly, about the individual who assumes the role of artist.

Play and artistic creation are bound by agreements that emerge between individuals and groups and cannot be imposed. Thus, the playful and artistic acts are anchored in a shared need for emancipation and autonomy—an essential rule that deserves attention.