The Dialogue in the Dark Project is an exciting international concept where exhibitions and business workshops are held in complete darkness. The project kicked off early in August in South Africa.

The South African National Council for the Blind is the official licensee for the Dialogue in the Dark exhibition. It is the first time that this exhibition will be held in South Africa, or Africa for that matter. As part of this unparalleled endeavor, we would like to cordially invite you to attend the exhibition.

Dialogue in the Dark is a specially constructed and totally darkened exhibition. This unique exhibition takes as its starting point the ideas and non-visual perceptions of blind people, in order to discover the unseen within and all around us. Using sounds, wind, temperatures and textures Dialogue in the Dark conveys the characteristics of a series of daily environments e.g. a park or a café. In a complete reversal of roles, visitors are provided with a sense of security and orientation by their blind or partially sighted guides.

Initiated by Andreas Heinecke in 1988, Dialogue in the Dark is a product of Dialogue Social Enterprise (DSE) an organisation whose key mission is to create innovative learning opportunities that improve the quality of human interactions. The underlying principle of the exhibition is drawn from the work of German-Jewish philosopher Martin Buber “Principles of Dialogue” which states that “The only way to learn is through encounter”.

The Dialogue in the Dark exhibition has travelled worldwide raising awareness about human diversity while empowering people with disabilities. All guides employed are legally blind, ensuring an authentic encounter that creates an environment designed to foster empathy and openness while facilitating the social inclusion of marginalised people. Dialogue in the Dark is an extraordinary experience that provides a platform for communication between different cultures, provoking a change in perspectives.

The Dialogue in the Dark exhibition has been presented in more than 30 countries and over 160 sites throughout Europe, Asia and America receiving tremendous feedback from visitors including those who participated in the summits organised by the prestigious World Economic Forum. Six and a half million visitors have experienced Dialogue in the Dark worldwide, and over 6,000 blind people have been provided with employment.

“A must-see experience for every human. It is not just another exhibition, but a foundational event that will change your world view…You will hold onto the memory of this experience for the rest of your life.” (YNET journalist)

The exhibition at Sci-Bono, which opens for the public on 8 August 2011 will be the first Dialogue in the Dark in Africa and is proudly bought to the continent by the South African National Council for the Blind.

Visit the blog spot for the local exhibition or the international Dialogue in the Dark webite.

The exhibition will run for three months at the Sci Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown, Johannesburg, starting on 3 August 2011. Please contact  Sci Bono to book on: (011) 639 8400 or email them by clicking here.