33 Prison Innovations + Torturetography

One of President Obama’s first moves was to order the closure of Guantanamo Prison in Guantanamo Bay, a place whose name has nearly become synonymous with torture.

Strangely enough, we’ve seen a number of bizarre and beautiful innovations that are inspired, at least in part, by the glorification of prison and the culture of torture. Are we really that masochistic?

Take esteemed and edgy fashion designer John Galliano. His Fall 2008 runway showcased male models with hoods over their heads that obscured their faces and visible injuries. We know how much the value of shock can add to a fashion campaign, but Guantanamo Prison sufferers and sympathizers alike surely see some similarities between the runway and the real thing.

John Galliano isn’t the only one to push Guantanamo Bay imagery, however. Janet Jackson appeared in the April 2008 issue of BlackBook Magazine in full torturous headgear, and an incredibly violent online game lets you slice a mannequin into pieces with a virtual chainsaw.

Check out some other shocking prison and torturetography articles below.