Have you ever imagined life as a blind person? The blind are in darkness all day long. Activities that “sighted” people take for granted like walking along the side walk, taking a trip, and having meals are challenging to the blind. It is not easy to guess what life is like to a blind person. ‘Dialogue in the Dark’ is a gallery where you can be a blind person in a dark world for 90 minutes.
About Dialogue in the Dark
-Introduction
Since 1988, ‘Dialogue in the Dark’ has been presented in more than 30 countries and 130 cities throughout the world. More than seven million visitors have experienced ‘Dialogue in the Dark’ worldwide. It is not simply a visual impairment experience. It is an Exhi-Performance; a format by where the audience is grafted into the exhibition. The entire exhibition is performed in total darkness. The tour guide “Road master” leads the tour which lasts approximately 90 minutes.
-The purpose of this exhibition
In the dark, we can get a sense of what it is like to be blind. It changes our thinking from mere sympathy for the blind to a deep understanding by experiencing the same condition. Also, receive the opportunity to look deep into ourselves while our vision is totally blocked. Furthermore, it helps strengthen ties among people because barriers are removed when sight is gone. People learn how important it is to be together.
-Its Effects on Society
This exhibition has certainly been proven effective. Thousands of blind people have found employment through ‘Dialogue in the Dark’. Moreover many people who have experienced this exhibition reported that it really changed prejudices about the blind and the attitudes toward them. The world of the “other” is in no way poorer just different.
Exhibition Contents
The exhibition consists of theme rooms in complete darkness. The visitors are arranged in groups which are comprised of up to 10 people. Before they embark on the journey through a dark world, they receive some guidelines, and are educated on how to use a long cane. They are led by a trained guide called ‘road master’ and spend 90 minutes exploring specially constructed darkened galleries where scent, sound, wind, temperature, and texture replicate daily environments. These are secrets! The road master asked me not to tell you guys!
A Story of a Blind Person
At the gallery, The Chungdae Post collected life stories of the blind. An interviewee reported things that are experienced for the first time are always dangerous. However, he tries to get more acclimated to new things with every day. For example, when he walks to work, he tries to memorize all things on the road. Speaking on his experiences, he said “On this block, k-pop music always pumps out, At this corner, I always smell delicious foods, and Soon I have to take a subway.” However he said nothing bothers him after he has gotten adjusted to those things. He also said that the chief handicap of the blind is not blindness, but the attitude of “sighted” people towards them. We need to know they are not helpless.
Things We Have Lost, Because of What We Have
Helen Keller said, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, just felt in the heart.” Helen always wondered why people could not see the true beauty of life and nature. These are things she could feel and understand even though she had lost her sight. She truly enjoyed life more than some people who had all their senses. During and after this exhibition, I understood a lot of what most people have lost because of what they have. Seeing has always come naturally to us, so we forget how precious sight is. Sights also tend to dull other senses. Maybe what we have lost is an ability to feel beautiful things in our hearts.
Other Experience-Dinner in the Dark
There is a restaurant that was created for the same purpose of ‘Dialogue in the Dark.’ The concept was presented to the public for the first time at a theatre festival in Avignon in 1993. Over ten restaurants exist throughout the world. Fortunately, one of them is in Korea. The restaurant is also in the dark and you can have a chance to challenge your taste buds. In the dark, without our sight, our senses grow more acute. Therefore you can feel the true taste of dishes and also have a chance of thinking about eating dinner as a blind person. It would be an unforgettable evening. Also for gourmets, it can be a one of a kind treat.
Information about 'Dialogue in the Dark'
-Entrance Time
Tue., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 12:00 ~ 20:30
Sat., Sun. 10:00 ~ 19:00
-Open Run
-The Time Required: 90 minutes
-Maximum Capacity of Group: Up to 8 people
-Ticket Prices: adults- 30,000 won adolescent- 20,000 won
-How to make reservation: Online- Interpark ticket (1544-1555)
(Tickets can also be purchased onsite)
By Kim Su-ji CP Reporter
ex112358@cnu.ac.kr