SOUNDS OF NATURE

A joint inclusion project of the OSTRALE - Center for Contemporary Art and the sound artist and scientist Rüdiger Wenk.

On the grounds of the OSTRALE.Basis in Dresden-Übigau, we opened our Nature Parkour in 2023 - an educational path focusing on our natural environment and the mindful and sustainable use of . Eleven graphically and content-wise designed panels convey specific areas of this natural environment (e.g., wild corners, insect hotels, or the compost).
(For more info, read on here: https://ostrale.de/de/OSTRALE.basis/natur-parkour.html)

Through the "Sounds of Nature" project, we want to make this parkour accessible to people with special needs in the areas of hearing and vision - but more importantly, bring their perspective to people without special needs. First, we integrate people with visual and hearing impairments into our team and develop the parkour together.

We examine each of the individual stations with regard to the phenomenon of sound and its perception, specifically in this section of the educational path.

We let the nature parkour become a REALLY public space in the sense of integration and inclusion because education must never be exclusive.

The OSTRALE.Basis is a place of nature, contemporary art, and culture. Through the project "Sounds of Nature," we contribute to creating a permanent meeting place of integrative art and culture mediation, which will be expanded in further projects in the long term.

What happens in this project? Here at this place, you can always stay up to date and follow the past and current steps. In addition to presenting the developments within the project, the focus is equally on public sharing of our findings and experiences from working with hearing- and vision-impaired people.

What does sound actually feel like?

We address this question in the first step of our project, which deals with the development and construction of a sound couch . With the help of this couch , we can perceive how a plant sounds. Sensors are used to obtain information from the plant itself, the soil, and the environment. Body transducers transmit these acoustic signals and set couch areas in vibration. In this way, an individual vibration pattern is created for each plant and each environment, with the help of which we can immerse ourselves in the world of those who hear differently.

Do you want to learn more?

Aktion Mensch: https://www.aktion-mensch.de/

Aktion Mensch

OSTRALE guide "AllSense" for blind and visually impaired people and sign language speakers

The OSTRALE provides blind, visually impaired and sign language speakers with access to art through a free, specially programmed application.

„The AllSense app functions as an exhibition guide. It enables us to present a 27-piece selection of artworks from the exhibition, using audiodescriptions and sign language videos. We equip the selected works of art and other places on the exhibition presmises – such as restaurants, toilets, etc. –, with so-called Bluetooth beacons. If the user of the app approaches these points, the description can be heard", explains Dr. Jan Blüher, who is blind himself and programmed the application with his company visorApps for OSTRALE.

In addition to the app, a visual and tactile guidance system also provides orientation for sighted visitors. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices and can be accessed in the Play Store, App Store and on site on devices that can be borrowed.
This cooperation within the framework of the "AllSenseApp", sponsored by Aktion Mensch, is aimed at all visitors, helping fellow human beings who use other senses than usual to orient themselves. When developing the guidance systems, we had the opportunity to work with two blind IT professionals, many helpers and sign language experts, who opened our eyes and let us experience new ways of perception. We would like to pass this on to our visitors. Through them, art can be made equally accessible to everyone, different perspectives on creative spaces / works of art can be conveyed and, above all, perception can be touched, felt, heard and felt anew.

The special offers and activities (workshops, symposia, festival/finissage, etc.) are designed for up to 200 participants during the project period. The AllSense application is available to all visitors to the exhibition. The AllSense guides can be used by 20 people at the same time.

Funded by

Databank / AllSense connection: Sven Dämmig
ALLSENSE APP: Jan Blüher (visorApps development), Eric Scheibler (visorApps development), Jens Horn (beacons), Torsten Becker (graphics)
Sign language: vigevo Das Netzwerk für Gebärdensprachdienstleistungen, Monika Möhrer (sign language interpreter)
Controlling: Paul Michel

Click on your preferred platform's icon to download the application free of charge!

(Please note that in our current edition, the audiodescriptions are only available in German,
and the sign language videos use German Sign Language.)