A Visit in Silence
21.08.2009 – Talking with hands? The exhibition Dialogue in Silence at the DASA (German Health & Safety Exhibition) in Dortmund elucidates non-verbal communication. Eloquent – but soundless.
By: Anne Honisch
Photo: DASA
The DASA in Dortmund is currently offering insight into the world of silence – the world of the deaf. “Dialogue in Silence” explores non-verbal communication and invites the visitor to silence – literally.
Visitors leave their hearing at the entrance. They are equipped with sound insulators which submerge them into silence and the guides, who are deaf, lead tours by means of sign language. What does fear, joy or grief look like? In the soundless exhibition rooms, visitors can learn to express themselves through facial and bodily gestures.
The newly acquired language can be practiced immediately at the end of the tour: In a bar, visitors order a drink – using their faces and hands.
The DASA project manager, Marcus Starzinger, explains the concept: “People with a sense of hearing are disengaged from their habitual form of communication. The deaf, who, due to their language skills and past experience, are at a communicative advantage and they become ambassadors of a culture which is in no way inferior, only different.”
The exhibition was the brainchild of Hamburg curators Dr. Andreas Heinecke and Orna Cohen. Their concept makes an experience out of “dialogue in silence” as opposed simple observation. A worldwide tour is planned for the exhibition which shares the DASA’s principle of personal experiment without preaching.
Dussmann Service provides support. The service provider’s staff supervises the exhibition, runs reception and operates cash points, the cloakroom and the book shop.
At “Dialogue in Silence” Dussmann Service deploys so-called day managers. They greet visitors and explain how the exhibition functions.
From there on, no more talking is allowed, at least, not out loud.
“Dialogue in Silence” can be visited until September 27, 2009 in the DASA, Dortmund. Further information at:
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