The harmful effects of sign language deprivation has been a recurring theme throughout Deaf art, history, politics and culture. Manifesto of Silences, a Deaf-led theatrical work created by Irene Holub, is the latest Australian project to pick up this thread.

Premiering at Arts House as part of Melbourne Fringe, Manifesto of Silences describes itself as a “reimagining of opera”, performed by six Deaf performers using sign languages and physical performance.

Revisiting the Milan Conference

The narrative revolves around the tragic outcomes of the Second International Congress on the Education of the Deaf in Milan, in 1880. This event, better known as the Milan Conference, endorsed oralism (teaching profoundly Deaf people to communicate through oral language such as lip reading and speech) over sign language, accelerating the suppression of Deaf languages around the world.

Manifesto of Silences also explores the conflicting values of prominent historical pro-signing and pro-oralist figures, including Edward Gallaudet, Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Michel de l’ Epee.

As a Deaf artist, I have created my own Deaf-centric performances. Within the Deaf community, I wonder if by constantly revisiting traumatic chapters from our history, we are stuck reliving our injustice? Or are we able to reclaim our narrative?

What is the........

© The Conversation