Vulpes Bastille
March 6 – March 28, 2026
Kansas City, MO
untitled exposure (two hands touching)
from Light impressions series
2025
archival inkjet reproduction of the original exposure made on direct positive paper, which was gifted back to participants
3.5in x 5in
[text from the takeaway]
(2)
At one point, some of us collaborated with incarcerated folks to workshop some ideas about image-making. Cameras were not allowed inside, but we were able to gather prompts and take notes on gestures to recreate elsewhere. This reproduction of a quickly made photogram on 5x7 inch paper became a moment of connection, a recognition of humanity despite our privilege of being able to leave.
[text from the series]
Light Impressions was a set of documented actions directed and transcribed by alejandro t. acierto and Dan Paz during a workshop with queer and trans incarcerated people serving time at a Pacific Northwest Correctional facility. Working with folks inside to imagine playful gestures and shadows on plain copy paper, participants used drawings, notes of affection, or gestural inscriptions to prompt my collaborator and me to make exposures following their bi-weekly support group meetings. The sketches were made outside in the fenced-off area next to the prison’s gym where participants were asked to create impressions with light and shadow using crayons, water, and a variety of objects and bodies to mask the light that could otherwise expose the paper. What emerged from the short, 20-second intervals was a frenetic yet joyful set of potential images that marked the impressions of movement from the outdoor light. Following the workshop, Dan and I made the exposures elsewhere and sent the originals back to their participants.
return to project site
from Light impressions series
2025
archival inkjet reproduction of the original exposure made on direct positive paper, which was gifted back to participants
3.5in x 5in
[text from the takeaway]
(2)
At one point, some of us collaborated with incarcerated folks to workshop some ideas about image-making. Cameras were not allowed inside, but we were able to gather prompts and take notes on gestures to recreate elsewhere. This reproduction of a quickly made photogram on 5x7 inch paper became a moment of connection, a recognition of humanity despite our privilege of being able to leave.
[text from the series]
Light Impressions was a set of documented actions directed and transcribed by alejandro t. acierto and Dan Paz during a workshop with queer and trans incarcerated people serving time at a Pacific Northwest Correctional facility. Working with folks inside to imagine playful gestures and shadows on plain copy paper, participants used drawings, notes of affection, or gestural inscriptions to prompt my collaborator and me to make exposures following their bi-weekly support group meetings. The sketches were made outside in the fenced-off area next to the prison’s gym where participants were asked to create impressions with light and shadow using crayons, water, and a variety of objects and bodies to mask the light that could otherwise expose the paper. What emerged from the short, 20-second intervals was a frenetic yet joyful set of potential images that marked the impressions of movement from the outdoor light. Following the workshop, Dan and I made the exposures elsewhere and sent the originals back to their participants.
return to project site