Blind theater and the articulation of non-visual signs in the fable development process

• Grant number: 18/05820-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2019
• End date: November 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Linguistics, Literature and Arts - Arts - Theatre
• Principal Investigator: Gina María Monge Aguilar
• Grantee: Victor Hugo Camargo de Sousa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Artes (IA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The present article aims to present a research about blind theater - a language that places actors and spectators in a room in complete darkness - focusing on the study of the non-visual signs network that leads to the fable development process in a spectacle which uses the technique. By identifying the visual limitation as a potential poetic element of the scene, it opens a path to people who are visually impaired to constitute a cast or to be in the audience of the shows. Thereby, it is a possibility of sensorial and inclusive art, which has grown in the last years, despite being little spoken about in the academic area. The research is firstly outlined with the intention of changing this scenario. The research will have two parts, the first one will be theoretical and the other one will be practical: a study of the sign articulations used in a play produced by São Paulo blind theater group, and the practical investigation about sign possibilities in the language through a study group. While working on this research, I will draw upon sources that include interviews made with members from Argentinean groups who have created the language and bibliographical references about blindness; the access of visually impaired to art; theatrical sign; soundscape; sensorial art and practical exercises for actors. The main source for the research are four shows from Brazil and Argentine that use the technique and which I have already watched, specially "O grande viúvo", produced by São Paulo's group and whose signs I will observe. I will request as well a BEPE scholarship (Bolsa de Estágio de Pesquisa no Exterior) to extend the research.