[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/boxboy2.jpg” caption=”Boy in the box”]For three days, he will let his imagination run wild. Secluded in a box, there will be no one to talk to. No influence from the outside world. No media will be allowed to penetrate his mind. Just two video cameras, four walls, a ceiling, a few cans of paint, brushes and some light.

James Ruddle, a third-year fine arts student, walked into a box in the atrium of the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC) at 2:30 p.m. today. He will only come out for washroom breaks until his final departure from the box on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. During these 72 hours, he will paint the walls and ceiling.

“By being segregated from society and secluded for a period of time I hope to create something unique and personal to me that has not been influenced by the media,” he said, moments before entering the box. He had no idea what he was going to create, anticipating an idea would come to him once he was inside.

The 21-year-old obtained the necessary permission he needed from Risk Management, McMaster Security and MUSC administration. His progress can be viewed live via a television set hooked up to two video cameras.

Photo caption: At top, James Ruddle gets ready to paint the walls on the inside of the box. Below, he can be seen live through a television set situated in front of the box. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay