«Sleight of Hand (in English spoken language)»
Jo Bannon

«Sleight of Hand» is an intimate 60-minute performance for five people at a time. Fascinated by the eponymic carefully choreographed magic tricks and the ways blind and visually impaired people like herself navigate the world, Jo Bannon created a tactile installation for curious fingers and unbelieving eyes. Subverting the format of a touch tour, this sumptuous work invites audiences to participate in a series of touch encounters with unknown objects, materials and matter.

Integrating audio description, tactile design, choreography and an immersive ASMR soundscape, «Sleight of Hand» explores what we can discover if we loosen our grip on the known visual world and let our senses wander...

As always, Jo Bannon’s work is guided by her offbeat humour and her ongoing fascination with objects, visual perception and how strange the ordinary world really is.

Information on accessibility and language

• The performance will take place in groups of five people. It lasts 60 minutes with time slots starting every 15 minutes. 

• All time slots on 20.09. will take place in English spoken language.

• This participatory installation is designed for both blind and visually impaired as well as sighted audiences with integrated audio description. [Please note that a touch tour is only possible before the first slot of each day.]

• If you would like to be picked up at a local transport station to attend the event, please contact: barrierefreiheit@gessnerallee.ch

• The show is participatory and will require you to take part in the work, touching items and using your senses. You will not be asked to interact with other audience members.

• The entire installation is step-free accessible. All parts of the installation can be used with wheelchairs or other mobility aids.

• On both days, a 15-minute access tour of the installation will be offered at 4:30 pm. Visitors may  familiarize themselves with the rooms and try out the different seating options. Please note that the tour contains spoilers and will foreshadow surprising moments of the performance.

• Accessible seating options (such as beanbags, sofas or cushions) are available in different parts of the installation. Please approach our staff at the Access Info Point on the day of the performance or write an email to barrierefreiheit@gessnerallee.ch, so we can provide you with more information and find the right option for you.

• Please note that due to the highly auditive nature of the work, most parts are not accessible for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.