Beyond Vision: Black Country Women – Spatial Sound Stories of Joy

Beyond Vision: Black Country Women – A Spatial Sound Journey is an immersive, walking, spatial sound only, experience of Warley Woods. It places you into the body of a visually impaired woman, where you will listen to a story of joy from a woman from Sandwell Visually Impaired. The experience takes place in a Meta Quest VR headset, your vision will be restricted and you will be supported by a real-life, sighted guide.  The experience lasts approximately 30-40 minutes.

Presently 360 sound lets you look around from a fixed spot. Beyond Vision's spatial sound allows you to walk forward, crouch down and stand back up. We invite you to close your eyes to fully experience the work and to discover the difference between hearing Warley Woods and feeling like you are physically there.

Beyond Vision is created by Sarah-Ann Cromwell, with founder of Immersion Sound Studio Ltd, audio engineer and registered blind Freya Shaw and built by John Thornewill Red Nought. The experience is made in collaboration with visually impaired women for sighted people. This is a Space Digital First Commission in partnership with Creative Black Country, made possible with funding from Arts Council England.

Feedback quotes:

A sighted participant reflected: “I genuinely feel that this experience will help me better support and understand the needs of people with sight loss. Not only that, it was lovely to listen to Perm’s story, so inspiring to hear her positivity and how she is not defined by her visual impairment.”

“It was just a brilliant way to show people how people with a vision impairment experience the world.”

“I’ve never experienced spatial audio,  sounds coming from different directions. It's very realistic, how it feels when you've got a bee coming up close to you, and the road... I did kind of almost stand there, thinking, is it safe to cross now?”

This is a free event, but booking is recommended.  Book below.

Website:

https://www.befearlessuk.com/beyondvision

The short film below provides details of what to expect on the day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJxPvWbxe4o

Youtube video featuring a stereo experience of Beyond Vision:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bexcSqXokTs