Launching DDFI40 on International Women’s Day, ‘Hand Ships Sail’ is a poetic conversation in British Sign Language (BSL) – the vital, visual and versatile language of British deaf communities. Two deaf women share their dreams for the future as they look out over the night sky. Intriguing and sensual, the projected artwork begins with giant hands resembling ships at sea, rocked by waves. The sailing hands represent the lifelong voyage all deaf people must take, navigating discrimination in the hearing world. The Cunard is one of Liverpool’s Three Graces, part of the iconic waterfront and famous for its nautical history as the original headquarters of the Cunard shipping line. Cathy Mager is a deaf and Bristol-based artist and curator, specialising in immersive and monumental art installations in unusual spaces. She is founder and director of Spectroscope, an arts collective that has pioneered sign language projection mapping for the BBC, Bristol Light Festival, Science Gallery London and Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art. Previously, she has directed public realm artworks and exhibitions for Bristol Beacon, Forestry England, Southbank Centre, Arts on the Underground and Historic Royal Palaces.
Access: BSL is integrated into this performance. Captions and audio description will also be available.
Booking info: No need to book. Just arrive outside the Cunard building to enjoy the show.
An online exhibition of this work will also be available on our website during the festival.
About DDFI40:
DaDaFest International returns 8th-31st March 2025 to celebrate DaDa's 40th Anniversary and this time we are coming with ‘RAGE: A Quiet Riot’.
DDFI40 will showcase work by disabled artists that captures all shapes and sides of rage. From the internal quiet frustrations and righteous rage, to overt injustice and activism, DDFI40 will explore disability rights, disability arts, access, ableism and ‘Rage’ in an explosion of creativity.