8/11/2010

DaDaFest International 2010

DaDaFest claims to be the biggest deaf and disability arts festival worldwide and DaDaFest International 2010 presents art from a unique cultural perspective, challenging the thoughts of the audience with its theme ‘objects of curiosity and desire’.

DaDaFest International 2010 has commissioned talented artists from around the globe, with disability artists and non-disabled artists performing together. Around one hundred artists - with some from as far afield as Uganda, India and America - have been invited to perform or show their work with a number of new commissions and UK premieres.

Tom Bottle asked DaDa head Ruth Gould answers a few questions on DaDaFest and its connection with the local arts scene.

How has DaDaFest affected disabled arts & artists locally?
We started as a way of making the opportunity to programme the work of local disabled/deaf people into mainstream venues. It has allowed a platform for their talent to be seen, but also as we have grown in status and reputation it allows us to bring in bigger names and cutting edge artists who can inspire and act as roles models.

Any examples of how local disabled artists have benefitted?
DaDaFest launched the performing careers of Laurence Clark, Liz Carr and helped others to gain extra work and opportunities.

What are the links between mainstream and disabled arts locally?
We have worked to make sure that disabled and deaf artists can gain opportunities to work outside the disability arts sector and be seen as artists in their own right, so we have linked in many with new opportunities and I feel have created a healthier city in the process.

What barriers do you feel DaDaFest has knocked down and what remain?
Not enough - still many remain. There is not enough disability and deaf arts programming outside DaDaFest time - though we have seen huge culture change within organisations such as National Museums Liverpool. People value the arts more and value the arts work of disabled/deaf artists. We have helped people understand what is meant by access and the need to programme relevant work.

What does the theme for DaDaFest 2010 mean to you?
We still turn heads, we still get asked intrusive questions, we are still seen as outsiders. The theme ‘Objects of Curiosity and Desire’ acknowledges this, but then turns it on its head to say we are also objects of desire. We are lovely, sexy people and should be acknowledged as ordinary like everyone else - note I did not say 'normal'!

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