MEXICAN RASHES - PART 3Contraband, Commerce, and Art in One of Mexico's Most Overcrowded Prisons
Here are some of the ingenious household tools and appliances crafted by Antonio Vego Macotela's imprisoned collaborators.
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Safe Box and Key This is a safe made from a crate, with a lock that operates in the same way as the closure on the trunk of a car. The lock on this box is made from a paper clip and a lighter spring; the key is also made from a paper clip. |
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Two Razors and a Needle The first of these instruments is made with a pencil sharpener from which the blade is removed and put into the hole where the pencil is inserted so that it makes a razor for cutting paper. The second is made with a lighter and a piece of bucket handle. The handle is sharpened on one end, and close to the end a kind of slot that serves as an eye is made to create a needle for darning things like footwear or clothing. The third is another version of the razor blade, but made with a lighter and a pencil sharpener welded together with fire.
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Dishes A sardine can acts as a plate, a Boing juice can (with the top removed by scraping it on the floor) as a cup, and a piece of tin (left over from a can) acts as a spoon.
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Tin Stove This is the deluxe version of the brick grill. It is constructed from a can, dirt from the prison yard, and a resistor cured in garlic and lemon. Aside from increased durability, this stove reduces the risk of electrocution because there are fewer short circuits.
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Tin Blades The lid of a can may become an excellent knife, which is very good for cutting vegetables, especially the packet of green chilies, onion, and tomato that is sold in this prison for ten pesos.
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Grill This is a brick in which a channel is carved out to act as a resistor, which is connected to the electric current from your cell’s wall in order to recook the “mess” (the name given to the prison food, which is generally terrible). |
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Bucket Swords The handle of a bucket is cut into two pieces so that you have two weapons. Each piece is then sharpened on one side by filing it against the floor. Finally, the other end is bent so that it adjusts naturally to the hand.
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Incense This is a strategy for hiding the smell of marijuana while smoking in your jail cell. To accomplish this, saturate some toilet paper with Old Spice deodorant, roll it up, and light it on fire. Next, stick it to a wall with some gum. (It is advisable to use two or more of these incense sticks to obtain better results.)
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Fluidless Lighter In prison, fuel is very scarce at times. However, there is a technique for starting a fire using a lighter with no fluid. Utilize pieces of the flint stone to make sparks, with toilet paper as fuel.
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MEXICAN RASHES | 1 | 2 | 3 |
See all articles by this contributor Anonymous, on Jul 9, 2009 wrote:
Time is truly the essence. The closer you look at it, the harder it is to see. The only thing I would like to see added to this wonderful project is something about the non-visual sense of time. How does smell measure time? What does your skin feel like after a day in a cell? Does taste have a daily cycle, an annual rhythm? Where can I go to see your work exhibited? Where can I buy it? | | Anonymous, on Nov 18, 2008 wrote:
pinche putos | | Anonymous, on Jul 18, 2008 wrote:
I found this article really interesting. At the very least it certainly beings our attention to issues of overcrowding in prisons. I love the way it’s written and the way it sort of re-humanizes the inmates. The comment made by one of the inmates about the art of simply existing in the prison made me see the homemade implements in a different way- they almost look like artifacts from a primitive time when people were just trying to survive. | | Anonymous, on Jul 6, 2008 wrote:
ummm not only does Mexico suck but this article found a way to be even more retarded than a country full of half twits in sombreros. Not only is this vaguely homo erotic, cliche Marxist nonsense, but it is of absolutely no social value. You know how I know time has passed, because I regret reading this horse crap. | | Anonymous, on Jun 30, 2008 wrote:
it seems like the last four comments were all written by the same person... same style of typing and same general idea in the posts.... but whatever.
really cool article though. particularly the final page, and seeing the inventiveness of prisoners. | | Anonymous, on Jun 27, 2008 wrote:
Yeah I second third fourth the motion that this is the best "avant gardish" art project I have ever read about in Vice or any other publication. Full on smart, and has such a value to society. These days I think Mexico needs more brave souls like this dude. Congrats for bringing a great country that has gone down the tubes back somewhat closer to a civilized society. | | Anonymous, on Jun 26, 2008 wrote:
Aw I want to marry him. | | Anonymous, on Jun 26, 2008 wrote:
Wow! What an interesting discourse on time and relativity. This art project was well thought out and the article was beautifully written, challenging my intellect and speaking directly to my soul. There is a wealth of revelation knowledge to be found here and the author’s work borderlines genius. I look forward to reading more from him in the future. | | Anonymous, on Jun 26, 2008 wrote:
I absolutely loved the article.
Everything about it was just awesome.
The stories, the art, the experiences, the honesty about it, just captures it.
Congratulations,
viva mexico! | | Anonymous, on Jun 25, 2008 wrote:
This has got to be one of the better articles I’ve seen in Vice for a while... vice has been lacking in this kind of stuff a little bit. Bring more :) | | Anonymous, on Jun 24, 2008 wrote:
who gives a fuck if you cant see them you douche bags. Try staying in jail for 7 hours and keepin’ them cheeks tight ladies. you CANT cover that scar with a sharpie now can you?
TYPO!!!! Dont kick my ass | | Anonymous, on Jun 24, 2008 wrote:
who gives a fuck if you cant see them you douche bags. Try staying in jail for 7 hours and keepin’ them cheeks tight ladies. you can cover that scar with a sharpie now can you? | |
| bonerdreamz69, on Jun 24, 2008 wrote:
I think the scars may be difficult to see because he has written all over them. | | Anonymous, on Jun 24, 2008 wrote:
what scars?
pssssh, fell off the swings? | | |
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