Making Sense

Off Stream, in collaboration with the School of Fine Arts and the Department of Architecture at the University of Ioannina, organised the Making Sense project, which proposes a different approach to art, including persons with sensory impairments in its creation and enjoyment.

In a high-ceilinged white room, many people are seated in a semicircle, while at the center stands a man dressed in black, interpreting.

From November 22 to December 1, 2024, open discussions, workshops, and activities were held at the Papazogleios Weaving School and selected city locations, aiming to enhance the equitable inclusion of persons with sensory impairments in both the enjoyment and creation of art.

Through an open call, students from the School of Fine Arts and the Department of Architecture of the University of Ioannina, as well as members of Ioannina’s creative community, were selected to participate in the ten-day workshop part of the project. A total of 26 participants explored new modes of artistic expression by activating various senses and experimenting with accessible practices.

People with smiling faces browse the exhibition space. A woman takes a picture of an interactive work of colors and prints on a table.

The objectives of Making Sense were, on the one hand, to empower the local community and raise awareness about equitable inclusion and, on the other hand, to train participants in conceptualising, designing and producing artworks that integrate multi-sensory practices, ensuring equal access for persons with sensory impairments to the creative process.

The result of Making Sense was the creation of 21 original multi-sensory artworks presented interactively and accessibly at Papazogleios Weaving School on Sunday, December 1, 2024.

Making Sense was implemented under the auspices and with the financial support of the Greek Ministry of Culture and the kind sponsorship of the Cooperative Bank of Epirus, the TEE of Epirus and Ν. Prokos & Co OE and with the kind support of the Equal Access Unit of the University of Ioannina, 3Portes Gallery and Atelier Fardella.

Making Sense: Activities and Events

Valasia, a woman with long dark hair in a braid, interacts with a paper object, approximately at her hight in the color of cinnamon, in front of an audience. She throws the object in an impressive manner, closing like a big hand fan.

Lectures:

#1 Folds of Matter & Movement, Valasia Simeon, choreographer, movement trainer
#2 The Inadequacy of the Senses: A Catalyst for Infinite Artistic Creation and Experience, Dimitris Ameladiotis, visual artist
#3 Multisensoriality: Innovative Art Museum Practices for Visitors with or without Visual Impairments, Esther Solomon, Associate Professor of Museology, Department of Fine Arts and Art Sciences, University of Ioannina
#4 Inclusive Technology and the Art of Accessibility, David Bobier, media artist
#5 Engaging the Senses, Leslie Putnam, artist, educator

Dimitris, wearing an orange beanie, with long black hair and a beard, stands next to a table displaying various small sculptures of his. He holds a small abstract sculpture in his hand, showing it to the audience.

Events & activities:

#1 Meeting Point: A participatory composition describing a T. Kalliakatsos artwork (in collaboration with 3Portes Gallery)
#2 Community Talk: A discussion with representatives from organisations of persons with disabilities about their challenges in engaging with art
#3 Exhibition Visit: Domestic or Wild, My Colossal Creature by Konstantinos Koinos, 3Portes Gallery
#4 Multi-sensory Walk: City of Ioannina sensory exploration
#5 The Taste of Colors: Experiments using colors, spices, textures, and materials (Atelier Fardella)
#6 Closing Event: An ephemeral, inclusive presentation of 21 multisensory artworks developed during Making Sense.

Crowds of people wander around the exhibition space, talking, interacting with the works and smiling.

A dark-skinned man stands in front of a colorful work that looks like a large wing and is attached to the white wall. He holds his cell phone next to his ear where he listens to the audio description of the specific project.

A person captures the patterns of the stone wall on paper.

A group of people co-shapes a large canvas on the floor of Fardeja's atelier playing with colors.

The participants pause next to the Ioannina lake to observe and document elements from the walk.

Partners: Department of Fine Arts and Art Sciences & Department of Architecture, University of Ioannina
Collaborating Institutions: Equal Access Unit of University of Ioannina, 3Portes Gallery, Atelier Fardell
Workshop Curation and Coordination: Stela Anastasaki, Art Historian, Christina Vlachou, Cultural Manager
Coordinators on behalf of the Department of Architecture, UoI: Maria Kriara, Assistant Professor; Korina Filoxenidou, Assistant Professor
Coordinator on behalf of the School of Fine Arts, UoI: Esther Solomon, Associate Professor of Museology
Greek Sign Language Interpretation: Spyros Kouzelis
English-Greek Interpretation: Paraskevi Koutsaidi, Anna Noussia
Visual Identity: Dimitris Lelakis, Mariza Tsakona
Supporters: Ministry of Culture
Sponsors: Cooperative Bank of Epirus, TEE of Epirus, Ν. Prokos & Co

project info

culture

Making Sense

Making Sense: Activities and Events

Lectures:

Events & activities: