Pelinović with filmmaker Božidar Kalezić took us to the psychiatry department of the Central Prison in Belgrade for the project Treptači svemira (1989) which has been described as our version of Flight over the Cuckoo’s nest. As a result of wandering along prison corridors, getting closer to prisoners and seeing suffering of tormented minds, Pelinović produced a series of photographs that would go on to be shown throughout Europe (inc. Naples and Paris).
In his photographs he explored life in correctional facilities and people who were on the other side of the law – considered by society as ‘monsters’.
He posed the question “What is the difference between life behind bars and our life outside?”
and answered with photos of characters in an environment in which human life continues with spiritual suffering and a darkness in the mind.
