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Phase 1: When I Close My Eyes and Ears, I Sense You Clearly

03–07 November 2025 | Norwegian Theatre Academy, Østfold University College, Fredrikstad, Norway



Finally, my dream project has kicked off! I am deeply grateful to everyone who supported me in making this project possible: the artist members, blind mentors, Art Council Norway, venues, and many others.


Project Description

We are creating a participatory exhibition-performance based on the principles of universal design, with a focus on inclusion and accessibility for deaf, blind, and deafblind audiences, alongside seeing and hearing audiences. 

Bringing together artists from performing art, sound art, and visual art, we collectively explore the question: What does it truly mean to create an inclusive art experience? (Read more)


Phase 1

For this first phase, we worked at the Norwegian Theatre Academy (NTA), where I studied BA in Scenography. The idea of this project began developing during my time as a student there, so I was eager to return to “my home” to conduct the first experimental works. I am grateful to NTA for providing this opportunity.

We worked on many aspects: learning about deaf and blind perspectives and haptic language for deafblind communication, testing out different materials to feel which speak to us in terms of stimulating people’s senses, and questioning how to create a space that finds a balance between challenging sensory experiences and maintaining safety. We invited blind mentors as test audiences to integrate their voices and needs into our art. 

Through this process, we found our direction, and each artist has been working on their creations. 
Phase 2 will take place in January 2026 to develop it further.


Credit
Idea and Concept, Artistic Leader, Scenography, Olfactory Art

Ayana Ishihara

Dancers

Inger-Reidun Olsen, Mathias Jin Budtz


Deaf Actor

Aino Hakala

FilmAndré Wulf

Sound 

Tulle Ruth Koefoed-Jespersen

Visual ArtMaja Sjöström

Blind mentorsIda Solvalg, Malin Bjerke, Svein Erik Hansen

Supported by

Arts Council Norway

Acknowledgement

Norwegian Theatre Academy





Photo: Ayana Ishihara
Photo: Ayana Ishihara

As we are still in development, I am sharing photos of the working location rather than the works in progress. 
I am excited to share images of our work in the near future!

©Ayana Ishiahra 2026