Getting a feel for the dark

Dialogue in the Dark takes you through the terror of not being able to see, and finds a place where you can use your other senses, all with the calm help of blind guides.
BEFORE heading off down a passage that leads to darkness, each visitor is given a cane to guide themselves around Dialogue in the Dark, an unusual exhibition at Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown.

Dialogue in the DarkDarkened exhibition: Dialogue in the DarkDialogue in the Dark is a specially constructed and totally darkened exhibition that conveys the characteristics of a series of daily environments. The darkness is intimidating – you can see nothing, not the person talking behind you or even the back of your hand.

There is a moment of panic as terrified visitors struggle to adjust to the mysterious gloom. However, calm descends once they are greeted by the gentle, reassuring voice of Maria Mbele. She urges everyone to relax and to follow the sound of her voice.

Mbele is visually impaired; she lost her sight at the age of one when her sibling stabbed her in the eye with a knife. It is amazing how she is able to navigate in the pitch black, and guide you around the darkened exhibition with such ease.

The first stop is at the park, where you are greeted by the sounds of barking dogs, swishing trees, birds and a cool, refreshing breeze. Here, Mbele challenges visitors to use their other senses to interact with the environment around them.

Lesser used senses are sharpened as you are forced to rely on touch, hearing and smell. By far the scariest moment is crossing a shaky bridge, which felt like it would buckle under pressure.

Taxi rank
From the park, Mbele leads the group to a busy taxi rank and into a few shops, where they can feel and try to identify various objects, ranging from food to clothes.

Finally, the group stops at a bar where they order some drinks. Here they can discuss the challenges that visually impaired people face every day, before they return to the familiar world of sight.

Maria Mbele is visually impairedMaria Mbele is visually impairedDialogue in the Dark runs at Sci-Bono until November. It is supported by the South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB) and Dialogue Social Enterprise. The exhibition challenges the way people perceive blindness, by using blind guides to take sighted people through everyday settings in complete darkness.

In a complete reversal of roles, visitors are given a sense of security and orientation by blind or partially blind guides. The idea was developed by Andreas Heinecke, a German journalist and filmmaker who in 1986 had to design a rehabilitation programme for a newly blinded colleague.

Speaking at the launch of the exhibition, Jace Nair, the national executive director of SANCB, said Dialogue in the Dark was an opportunity for blind people and other marginalised people to present their skills.

“It is important for us to create awareness of the abilities of the blind,” said Nair. “Blind people want to be part of the economy and make contributions.”

The exhibition has been presented in more than 30 countries, at 160 sites throughout Europe, Asia and America. Some 6,5 million visitors have experienced the dark worldwide, and more than 6 000 blind people have been given employment.

For bookings and more information on entrance fees, contact Dialogue in the Dark on 011 639 8437 or send an email to dialoguejozi@sci-bono.co.za.