Please note: a limited number of spots are available for this programme. Reserve your ticket here (valid in combination with your wristband).
Language: Dutch + sign language interpreter in Dutch
Playtimes
Friday 22 november
18:30-19:00
19:15-19:45
20:30-21:00
21:15-21:45
Saturday 23 November
13:30-14:00
14:15-14:45
15:00-15:30
16:15-16:45
17:00-17:30
19:00-19:30
19:45-20:15
20:30-21:00
Deaf Land doesn’t exist – it’s everywhere
Welcome to Deaf Land! This is a place where the deaf feel at home and you as a hearing person are warmly welcomed. Two languages are spoken in this country: Dutch Sign Language first and Dutch for everything else that needs to be said.
Step into this hybrid of VR (Virtual Reality) and theater, to experience together the world in which you, as a hearing person, cannot easily make yourself understood. Sound and spoken language do not play the main role, but communication does. How do you introduce yourself or order a cup of coffee? Can you just tap everyone on the shoulder when you want their attention? Instead, as a member of this community, you step into a warm bath of recognition and see everyday subtleties magnified.
Together with the deaf community, VR artist Chantalla Pleiter is developing a VR experience to immerse you in the culture, history and world of the deaf. The whole community invites you, making you aware of all layers of communication, deeper than speech and sound. Because Deaf Land does not exist – it is everywhere.
This project is developed and performed in cooperation with Frisian and Groningen deaf organizations including Oorizon, Dovenclubhuis Groningen and TYD.
About Chantalla Pleiter
Chantalla Pleiter is a media artist whose work moves at the intersection of art, science and technology. She creates interactive installations, immersive theater and virtual reality experiences, where her work is an ongoing exploration of the impact of technology on us as individuals and on the society at large.
Pleiter studied at the Minerva Art Academy in scenography and new media art and majored in theater studies at the University of Groningen. In her previous performances, director Chantalla Pleiter already introduced her audience to other communities through her beloved medium of VR – to explore and manipulate all the senses, making new experiences happen.
And you can almost literally step into someone else’s shoes.
The characteristic seen as limiting by the majority is not there when the community is among themselves. Only through the outside world do the problems arise, and that is true for a lot of groups. To experience that, come get to know these communities by being part of them for a while.
About Jan Klug
Jan Klug is a creative media programmer, musician, video artist and lecturer at Frank Mohr Institute in Groningen. He is interested in exploring the boundary between reality and virtuality and builds immersive digital experiences.
Pleiter and Klug previously collaborated on several projects.
Dovenland is made possible by Over de drempel Friesland, Arcadia and DigitALL.
Credits
Artistic direction Chantalla Pleiter
Technological concept and development Jan Klug
Text and directorial assistance Noor Wildeling
Business and production management Chantalle Plas
Publicity Daphne Smet
Consulting and cooperation with the deaf community in Friesland Iris Steijvers van Orselen & Oorizon
Consulting and cooperation with the deaf community in Groningen Maaike Spit & Dovenclubhuis & TYD
Station Noord Hub
This project is presented as part of the Station Noord Hub. Every year, Explore the North and talent development platform Station Noord present a showcase of the top talent from the North within the festival. This concerns new work by makers who are active within Station Noord or have just left.