Sickness Affinity Group (SAG):
All my messy parts: A space for growing collective bodies

Individual access needs for attending the event can be communicated to us by June 1 at barrierefreiheit@sophiensaele.com or 030-27 89 00 35. We will get back to you after checking the possibilities.

Language

The content of the installation is accessible in:

• German and English spoken language (on MP3 players)
• German and English written language
• German Sign Language (except for the Zine Library)
• German Braille (except for the Zine Library)
• Audio description in German of the space and for the meditations

Space

The space has different areas which are divided by a tactile floor marking tape:

• a Zine library
• a resting area
• an audio installation with two guided meditations
• a soundscape
• an event space
• a children’s play corner

Sound

• There is a soundscape which will play from a subwoofer in one corner of the space.
• It is 15 mins long and will play once an hour.
• The sound builds slowly and reaches a point where it is louder, a chorus of sounds and voices.
• All the other sounds in the space can be listened to with headphones, including the two video meditations in the space.

Light

• There are some bright and dark areas but no direct white light.
• In general, rather low light, the only dark space will be the resting area.
• The general lighting situation in the room is rather soft and dimmed.
• There is an array of colorful fluorescent tube lights on the ceiling in warm tones, in scattered but parallel order, low dimmed. They are orange and yellow close to the entrance and purple above the library.

Zine library:

• There are three reading lights attached to the tables to offer brighter light for reading.

Resting area:

• This area is dark, creating a low sensory/stimulation space.

Audio installation & Event space:

• Mostly purple lights projected on the curtain, there is probably also a flood light in the center of the space.

Soundscape:

• There is a shadow projection area that shows leaves and nature inspired visuals.
• The projection is static, without animations.

Children’s play corner:

• The children’s play corner has a soft purple spotlight.

Audience area

Zine library:

• Two tables of different height with Zines on them and MP3 players to listen to the library pieces.
• some bean bag seats
• two chairs with backrests
• a box lower to the ground that you can sit on
• space for wheelchairs

Resting area:

• a calm, dark, low-scent space enclosed by curtains which you can open and close
• Inside is a platform with a mattress to lay down.
• There are sound shielding elements like earplugs.
• There is a heavy blanket, some stimming toys, masks, blankets, pillows, and hot water bottles.
• We invite you to lay down, be by yourself, sleep, breathe in this space for as long as you need to.

Audio installation and event space:

• Seating with cushions and pillows on five 1x2 meter platforms of different heights
• some backrests
• space for wheelchairs
• There is one meditation audio on each side with a screen for the DGS and subtitles available which you can watch with headphones.

Soundscape      

• There is a subwoofer which you can sit on to feel the vibrations of the soundscape.
• There are two platforms with covers and pillows which you can sit or lie on.

You can also find more information about accessibility here.

concept, realization Sickness Affinity Group

A production of Sickness Affinity Group in co-production with SOPHIENSÆLE within the frame of Leisure & Pleasure, supported by the Capital Cultural Fund. Media partners:Arts of the Working Class, Berlin Art Link, Kulturplakatierung, Missy Magazine, Rausgegangen, tip Berlin, taz.die tageszeitung. 

Sickness Affinity Group (SAG) is a group of art workers and activists who work on the topic of sickness/disability and/or are affected by sickness/disability. Sickness Affinity Group functions as a support group that challenges the competitive and ableist mode of working in the arts by sharing experiences and information and by prioritizing the well-being and access needs of its group members. Sickness Affinity Group investigates accessibility as both a topic and curatorial method. They aim to celebrate and create room for non-normative bodies, politics and desires, as well as offering a supportive environment for fragility and wellbeing. Sickness Affinity Group holds regular meetings in Berlin and maintains an email list. Sickness Affinity Group members collaborate on projects in small working groups and report back from their process in the bi-monthly meetings. You can sign up to the Mailing List to share/receive information and to attend upcoming meetings.