FALLARTS
A fresh perspective he sound of rain falling, the scent of freshly mowed grass and the touch of a warm blanket are experiences we can imagine based on our senses. In a society dominated by sight, sensory elements such as these are part of what ShaLeigh Comerford wanted to explore in order to elucidate the experiences of individuals who live with low vision or blindness. ShaLeigh Dance Works’ immersive performance enVISION: Sensory Beyond Sight premiered in early June at The Fruit. 40
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ShaLeigh Dance Works introduces audience members to the experiences of the visually impaired through a performance that incorporates all senses By M ega n T i l l ots o n | P hoto gr a p hy by S l at er M a p p
The piece removed the barrier between audience and performers, giving the crowd a chance to fully engage with the message behind it. “It’s about taking a moment in time and expanding all of the senses of that moment,” ShaLeigh says. The idea behind enVISION emerged three years ago when Arts Access, a nonprofit that enables North Carolinians with disabilities to have full access to arts programs and facilities, reached out to ShaLeigh to create a piece with DJ Robinson, a dancer with low vision. “From the minute I met him, it was like a collaborative fire,”