SQUARE-EYE FESTIVAL 1.30 pm Sun, 6 Dec 2020 Join visual artists; Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq, Omeima Mudawi-Rowlings, Maral Mamaghanizadeh and Rauridh Lever-Hogg for conversation about Deaf visual art and how to work in the mainstream. This event is for anyone who wants to be a professional artist. This event will be hosted by Ruth Montgomery.
Artwork: Artist: Omeima Mudawi-Rowlings, Title: River Runs Through at Fabrica gallery, Brighton
Photo: Visual Arts Exchange 2014 with Namuna Shahi, Omeima Mudawi-Rowlings, Iva Hay, Donna Williams
Donna Mullings will host a panel discussion with Chisato Minamimura with guest appearance using pre recored video by Chris Fonseca, Mark Smith, Billy Read and Ariel Fung. Find out about what’s happening in the arts from the perspective of leading Deaf dancers.
Photo Deaf Men Dancing, Joshua Cantril & Joseph Fletcher at Bird College Theatre 2019
Donna Mullings has performed dance with Def Motion and has performed at the Reims Clin d’Oeil Festival (France), Incloodu Festival (London) and WoW Festival (Black Country).
in 2019, Mark Smith, commissioned by Greenwich Performs Festival to reboot Deaf Men Dancing & make a new work, called the, “Progress Score:”
Chris Fonseca Chris’s passion for street dance grew and he gained more experience in different styles of dance. He specifically enjoyed street dance and grew through teaching himself and through attending classes that focused on Lyrical hip hop.
Chisato Minamimura, I approach choreography from my unique perspectives as a Deaf artist, creating what I call ‘visual sound / music’. My practice meshes work in visual sound / music, Sign Mime, BSL art guide, digital and performance to explore human sensory experience.
Billy Read, devised an outdoor flash mob style dance work for Southside in 2018 and founded Def Motion who made outdoor street dance shows in West Bromwich and Festival Clin d’Oeil, Reims, a global Deaf culture festival.
Ariel Fung
Ariel Fung is part of Fun Forrest, a Deaf dance crew in Hong Kong and Billy works with Ariel due to the lack of deaf female hip hop street dancers in uk.
SQUARE-EYE FESTIVAL 11.00 am Sunday 6th December 2020.
Shopping Time!
Don’t know what to buy for Christmas gifts? Still haven’t bought anything? It’s time to treat yourself or someone you love with original work made by Deaf artists. Why not to join us to see what Deaf craft makers and visual artists are selling this year. Let’s support each other and the Deaf economy during this strange time.
The artist’s work will be broadcast on Deaf Explorer’s facebook, instagram and youtube channels.
Artists
11am Ruaridh Lever-Hogg
Ruaridh graduated recently from Duncan of Jordanstone Art School, Dundee University, with a Masters’ degree in Fine Art. He paints in oils on authentic tartan fabrics, treated and placed on traditional canvas stretchers.
Olivier is an Award Winning Multi Talented Contemporary Artist
Winner of IPSE’s Freelance Project of the Year 2019.
Olivier is shortlisted for European Diversity Awards (EDA): Coca Cola’s Hero of the Year 2019
He specialises in hand drawn multicoloured art using stencils, graffiti, digital art and public art installation. The aim is to produce work that combines the effect of colours and patterns and raises peoples imaginations and awareness.
Olivier sell original artwork and digital prints online at his website
The shopping event is followed by Visual Arts Panel at 1.30 pm with Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq, Omeima Mudawi-Rowlings, Maral Mamaghanizadeh and Rauridh Lever-Hogg for conversation about Deaf visual art and how to work in the mainstream.
Matthew Gurney recently wowed audiences at AD Infinitum’s online festival: This Is Where We Are, with his short film, ‘Dr. Voxoff’s Sign Language School for Hearing Children’ made completely on his iPhone. Matthew will lead a workshop on film making on your mobile and talk about Deaf Explorer’s new commissions for short films.
See Matty’s full short film (all filmed and edited on a phone) here: ‘Dr. Voxoff’s Sign Language School for Hearing Children’ committed by Ad Infinitum & HOME
Deaf Explorer will screen a recording of Mark Smith’s Progress score with his ensemble, Deaf Men Dancing. Performed at the Greenwich Performs Festival in 2019 with original music composed by Chris Bartholomew (Ad Infinitum, Deafinatly Theatre).
“There is a generation of deaf children whose needs are being ignored and who are being left behind in their education.” Mark Smith was inspired by a story about a deaf boy in Ireland who struggled in education because he didn’t receive support due to the government’s service cuts. There’s a serious issue that young deaf children are falling behind in education and are being failed by the education system. Also, Mark was inspired to incorporate Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) into the choreography.
Deaf Explorer commissioned Rinkoo Barpaga and Zoe McWhinney to make a series of four programmes, talking about original topics relevant to the Deaf community. Make a cuppa and put your feet up to watch their conversation and share your thoughts with us by posting on social media. This film will be broadcasted on Deaf Explorer’s facebook, instagram and youtube channels.
DEAF EXPLORER are hosting their first ever online festival of Deaf artists and Deaf arts.
Join the team and amazing Deaf artists on 3rd – 6th December 2020.
All events are free and live events can be booked through Eventbrite (links below.)
Thursday 3rd December 2020
7pm – Festival launch: We are Deaf Explorer
Deaf Explorer CIC Directors
Meet the Deaf Explorer CIC Directors. Maral Mamaghanizadeh (Jewellery/visual artist and assistant producer), Rinkoo Barpaga (Theatre and filmmaker), Billy Read (Choreographer and street dancer), Alan McLean (Producer & bid writer), Rachael Veazey (Producer & Access Manager.)
Who is Deaf Explorer and what do we do?
How can you get involved?
The team would like to share future plans with you in this panel discussion and live Q&A.
This is a live zoom event and the launch event of Deaf Explorer’s first digital festival: “Square Eye” 3rd – 6th December 2020.
Deaf Explorer are delighted to be joined by Scottish presenter, Lucy Clark and Lucy will host this event with the team.
Lucy Clark – TV presenter
BSL Interpreted
This event is lead in BSL with BSL Interpreters translating into English.
8:15pm – RINKOO BARPAGA: RECORDED LIVE AT CRYSTAL PALACE FESTIVAL
Rinkoo performing in a red long-sleeve t-shirt
A recording of Rinkoo’s live performance from Crystal Palace Festival 2020 will be broadcast on Deaf Explorer’s facebook and youtube channel.
Rinkoo creates solo performances, exploring identity, Deafness and racism. He incorporates a very physical style of storytelling, embodying over 50 different characters in each show. His storytelling is humorous and engaging, but doesn’t fail to stop an audience in their tracks with a well-timed observation of a moment of injustice or discrimination. Rinkoo performs in his first language, British Sign Language and is simultaneously translated into spoken English by performance Interpreter, Kam Deo.
Birmingham born Rinkoo Barpaga has moved around a lot trying to find somewhere to finally settle. Required to both tick the box, ‘ethnic minority,’ but also ‘Deaf’ he has been forced to constantly ask the question, “where do I belong?”
This is an extract from Rinkoo’s solo production: Made In India/Britain and is an insight into one man’s life as he tries to fathom out exactly who he is as he delves deep into past experiences to try and find clues which will help him settle in his present and find a place he can finally call home. Written by Rinkoo Barpaga Directed by Daniel Bailey
BSL Interpreted
8:45pm – Maral Mamaghanizadeh: IF YOU WANT TO BE ALIVE… READ MY LIPS
If You Want To Be Alive…Read My Lips is commissioned by Journeys Festival International and supported by Arts Council England, If You Want To Be Alive…Read My Lips is a performance film introducing Maral’s experience of deafness and jewellery making, her artistic practice and becoming a refugee due to the political nature of her artwork.
The film showcases her bone china jewellery and demonstrates how the jewellery is worn, over the ears. A sound collage, by sound designer Chris Bartholomew, samples Iranian feminist protest songs and asks audiences to consider the difficulties of engaging politically when you do not have access to sound.
You must read Maral’s lips, giving an insight into her unique experience as a Deaf person and revealing the beauty of sign language that has finally given her a ‘voice.’
Maral Mamaghanizadeh is a Deaf Iranian artist, awarded an MA in Jewellery and Silversmithing from Birmingham City University in 2017 with her work ‘The Politics of Voice; The Tale of Tresses.’
Her work explores barriers she encounters in everyday life as a Deaf, female refugee. She communicates through her artworks, combining feminism and cultural politics.
This film will be broadcasted on Deaf Explorer’s facebook and youtube channel.
9:15pm – Billy Read presentsSIGN CRIMINAL
Billy jumps
Street dance theatre work in progress. Billy is developing a new work for Deaf teenagers with long term collaborators, Ariel Fung and Chris Fonseca. Watch the work in progress.
This film will be broadcasted on Deaf Explorer’s facebook and youtube channel.
10pm – Rinkoo Barpaga & Zoe McWhinney: THE ARMCHAIR COMMENTATORS
Part One: Deaf Ecosystem
Deaf Explorer commissioned Rinkoo Barpaga and Zoe McWhinney to make a series of four programmes, talking about original topics relevant to the Deaf community.
Make a cuppa and put your feet up to watch their conversation and share your thoughts with us by posting on social media. This film will be broadcasted on Deaf Explorer’s facebook, instagram and youtube channels.
Friday 4th December 2020
7:00pm – Ahmed Mudawi in conversation with Jean St. Clair
Jean is professional Deaf actor with over 48 years in the business. Find out about Jean’s lockdown experiences, her digital work and her future plans. This event is live on zoom with audience Q&A.
BSL Interpreted
Jean St. Clair in ‘The Process’ (Bunker Threatre) 2020
8:15pm – David Ellington presents: PERMISSION TO SPEAK
Commissioned by DaDa fest, Deaf Explorer commissioned 6 Deaf artists to talk about discrimination and privilege. Comedy writer & actor, Ben Rufus Green, provides a translation for each Deaf artist. The work shows the ‘Deaf Explorer’ collective’s beliefs that “Deaf artists are not just one homogeneous Deaf culture, they always intersect with other kinds of cultural identity”.
Artists David Ellington, Matthew Gurney, Sahera Khan, Ishtiaq Hussain and Leigh Blake will share their thoughts about the Deaf Explorer DaDaFest commission, Permission To Speak videos and what it was like to have a ‘cowboy interpreter’ translating for them. This event will be live on zoom with audience Q&A. Book on Eventbrite – link below.
Deaf Explorer commissioned Rinkoo Barpaga and Zoe McWhinney to make a series of four programmes, talking about original topics relevant to the Deaf community. Make a cuppa and put your feet up to watch their conversation and share your thoughts with us by posting on social media. This film will be broadcasted on Deaf Explorer’s facebook, instagram and youtube channels.
Saturday 5th December 2020
12:00 – Ruth Montgomery: Audiovisability
Ruth Montgomery will talk about her work ‘Audiovisibility’ and how to make music accessible for Deaf audiences. using performance and visual art. Deaf Explorer is excited to invite Ruth to present her work and past projects and to talk about her next big projects: Calypso and Two Hearts, The Ballet of Dressage and Music.
2021 is a big year for Ruth Montgomery as she will be working in Barbados and Japan as well as organising a concert with Evelyn Glennie and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. This event will be presented in British Sign Language with BSL Interpretation.
1:15pm – Mark Smith, Deaf Men Dancing: PROGRESS SCORE
Deaf Explorer will screen a recording of Mark Smith’s Progress score with his ensemble, Deaf Men Dancing. Performed at the Greenwich Performs Festival in 2019 with original music composed by Chris Bartholomew (Ad Infinitum, Deafinatly Theatre).
Watch a brand new live VV poem by Ishtaiq, especially created for the Square Eye Festival. Broadcasted live on our facebook page and on our facebook page and YouTube channel.
4:00pm: Ishtiaq Hussain: SHINE A LIGHT, Sprit of 2012 project.
in 2021 Ishtiaq Hussain will be working with Creative Black Country and Deaf Explorer to create an inclusive performance and short films of Visual Vernacular (V V) and spoken word poetry. A project for Deaf and hearing people based in the West Midlands, join our zoom session and find out about the project and watch a video of Ishtiaq performing a VV poem about COVID-19.
7:00pm: THE ARMCHAIR COMMENTATORS Q&A with Rinkoo Barpaga and Zoe McWhinney
A live zoom session with Zoe and Rinkoo about their project, The Armchair Commentators. Rinkoo and Zoe are ready to answer your questions about the series. Have you watched their broadcasts? Enjoyed it? Join us and let us hear your thoughts and your questions and maybe you have an idea for a future episode to share with us. This event is in BSL and will not have an interpreter.
Deaf Explorer commissioned Rinkoo Barpaga and Zoe McWhinney to make a series of four programmes, talking about original topics relevant to the Deaf community. Make a cuppa and put your feet up to watch their conversation and share your thoughts with us by posting on social media. This film will be broadcasted on Deaf Explorer’s facebook, instagram and youtube channels.
Sunday 5th December 2020
SHOPPING TIME!
Deaf Explorer becomes a shopping channel today.
Don’t know what to buy for Christmas gifts? Still haven’t bought anything? It’s time to treat yourself or someone you love with original work made by Deaf artists. Why not to join us to see what Deaf craft makers and visual artists are selling this year. Let’s support each other and the Deaf economy during this strange time.
The artist’s work will be broadcast on Deaf Explorer’s facebook, instagram and youtube channels.
Artists:
11:00
11am Ruaridh Lever-Hogg
Ruaridh graduated recently from Duncan of Jordanstone Art School, Dundee University, with a Masters’ degree in Fine Art. He paints in oils on authentic tartan fabrics, treated and placed on traditional canvas stretchers.
Olivier is an Award Winning Multi Talented Contemporary Artist
Winner of IPSE’s Freelance Project of the Year 2019.
Olivier is shortlisted for European Diversity Awards (EDA): Coca Cola’s Hero of the Year 2019
He specialises in hand drawn multicoloured art using stencils, graffiti, digital art and public art installation. The aim is to produce work that combines the effect of colours and patterns and raises peoples imaginations and awareness.
Olivier sell original artwork and digital prints online at his website
Ruth Montgomery hosts an artist panel discussion about Deaf Visual art and the barriers many Deaf visual artists experience . Find out about Christopher Scare (visual artist), Omeima Mudawi-Rowlings (textile artist), Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq(painter), Ruaridh Lever-Hogg (painter) and Maral Mamaghanizadeh (Contemporary jewellery & visual artist)
This event will be in BSL with captions and a BSL interpreter providing translation into spoken English
4:30pm – Matthew Gurney: MAKING A SHORT FILM ON YOUR MOBILE PHONE
Matthew Gurney recently wowed audiences at AD Infinitum’s online festival: This Is Where We Are, with his short film, ‘Dr. Voxoff’s Sign Language School for Hearing Children’ made completely on his iPhone. Matthew will lead a workshop on film making on your mobile and talk about Deaf Explorer’s new commissions for short films.
See Matty’s full short film (all filmed and edited on a phone) here: ‘Dr. Voxoff’s Sign Language School for Hearing Children’ committed by Ad Infinitum & HOME
7:30pm – MARK SMITH, DEAF MEN DANCING: PROGRESS SCORE
Deaf Explorer will screen a recording of Mark Smith’s Progress score with his ensemble, Deaf Men Dancing. Performed at the Greenwich Performs Festival in 2019 with original music composed by Chris Bartholomew (Ad Infinitum, Deafinatly Theatre).
Deaf Explorer commissioned Rinkoo Barpaga and Zoe McWhinney to make a series of four programmes, talking about original topics relevant to the Deaf community. Make a cuppa and put your feet up to watch their conversation and share your thoughts with us by posting on social media. This film will be broadcasted on Deaf Explorer’s facebook, instagram and youtube channels.
This festival programme is not yet complete. More events will be added over the next few days. Keep watching this page and our updates on Deaf Explorer
The video work by the Deaf Explorer collective, interrogates the authority and power of translation, revealing that interpretation can not match the rich visual language of the artists and marginalises the complexity of deaf identity.
Leigh Blake
Translation is a territory that Deaf artists occupy. “Permission to speak” is a new work for playback on digital devices, that interrogates the authority and power of translation. Using a mock interview format, each artist represents the overlap of various social and political intersectional identities of deafness, race, faith, gender and sexuality. Individually they reveal, that their art and language is subject to and dependant on nuanced translation. Together they expose the consensus within the whitewashed hearing world that there is one sign language, rather than a diverse creative force that has rich dialects. All the artists describe how they experience marginalisation and describe the need for greater representation of Deaf diverse artists in Britain. They end the interview by describing their particular vision for a new work, showing that their intersectionality will widen audiences. The work explores discrimination and privilege, enacting the ‘Deaf Explorer’ collective’s beliefs that “Deaf artists are not just one homogeneous Deaf culture, they always intersect with other kinds of cultural identity”.
Promo video encouraging consultation with Deaf and Disabled People in the Black Country by Deafscope
This project will Shine A Light on people of the Black Country. It will build bridges of communication between Deaf and hearing, disabled and non-disabled communities across the Black Country through a creative participatory and performance programme co-created with local people, that will:·
Tell the stories of local people in the Black Country from diverse backgrounds, including those with Commonwealth roots. ·
Explore our relationship to the Commonwealth, including any challenging legacies of colonialism, and what it means to communities living in the Black Country today.
Increase the wellbeing, confidence and skills of local people in the Black Country, particularly those from diverse cultural backgrounds and people who identify as D/deaf or Disabled.
Deaf explorer CIC are delighted to be involved in the Creative Black Country bid to deliver a Spirit of 2012 funded project and meet the objectives of the West Midlands Challenge fund. The ethos of Spirit of 2012 matches our own mission statement which is to bring about equality for Disabled people by demonstrating full participation in the arts, artists (all art forms) audiences and participants. Our organisation and focus is meeting the communication needs of deaf people and Deaf artists, who who are defined under British equality law as Disabled people. The success of our work is measured by movement of deaf people into highly competitive mainstream arts, using communication support. Our hope is that Spirit of 2012 funding will enable disabled people in the Black Country to be inspired by creative deaf people, who have skills and ability to work in the mainstream. As a result of this project we hope young deaf people will be inspired as well, kickstarting a generation of deaf and hard of hearing people and their disabled peers into belief that the future includes them. We feel strongly that the hearing world also will learn about how to remove barriers and reduce the thinking that deaf and disabled people require charitable support and that this is not a responsibility of society to include deaf and disabled people even though quality law has been in existence for thirty years. We see in our own community deaf people of colour, marginalised into work that does not match their education, skills and ambition. Many of our peers are unemployed, Deaf explorer CIC see this project as an opportunity to connect and give roles to deaf and disabled people so they can prove they can make a cultural contribution to the Commonwealth Games Festival.
Arts Council England opened for application’s for grant in late August, in September Deaf Explorer worked with Matty Gurney to submit his application to adapt “One Flew Over the Cuckoo Nest”. His interest, is in the novel’s critique of the mental ward as an instrument of oppression comparable to the prison; It’s an idea that he is instinctively drawn to. Matthew thinks the novel can be transformed into a symbol of the historic oppression of Deaf people and how invisible forms of discipline, that are prevalent in the lived experience of deaf people, oppress individuals, encouraging them to censor aspects of themselves and their actions and messes with their heads. The North Wall in Oxford are supporting the project and if the grant successful Matty Gurney will be a new and dynamic creative leader, devising in the rehearsal studio pioneering ways for deaf actors to excel on stage.
Deaf Explorer 