By: Chelsea Fisher
Deaf Entertainment and Art
Rather a difference in lifestyle than a disability, the Deaf
community has embraced their own culture which includes similar
things to the Hearing community. Through schools, organizations, and
clubs, forms of Deaf entertainment have evolved which are just as
advanced as those which exist in the world of sound.
After an average school day a student with the ability to hear will
probably go home, get a snack, and sit down in front of the TV.
Teenagers spend approximately 22 hours a week in front of the TV
(1). But, what about the Deaf community? In 1990, the Americans with
Disabilities Act made it a requirement that every TV 13” or greater
in size have a converting device that makes closed captioning
accessible. While not every TV show has closed captioning (CC) many
of them do. Captioning makes it easy for Deaf communities to read
what most audiences would hear while both see the same image. The
same goes for movies. Nearly every DVD available now has subtitle
ability, and devices are being released to movie theatres so that
Deaf people can have subtitles in front of them while viewing the
movie on the big screen. Special showings in larger cities also come
with subtitles on the big screen itself, allowing Deaf and Hearing
people to enjoy a movie together without the use of special
equipment.
While there are similarities between the worlds of entertainment,
there are also forms of entertainment that are unique to the Deaf
community. One example is the poetry and storytelling of Clayton
Valli (1951–2003), a prominent ASL poet who helped introduce people
to the possibilities and richness of ASL literature. With creative
and beautiful signing, Valli performed his works to audiences around
the world. However, Valli wasn’t the only prominent “voice” in this
movement; Elle Mae Lentz, Peter Cook, and many others join him in
the effort.
The Hearing world has seemingly little appreciation for oral
performances of poetry, when compared to how appreciative the Deaf
community is of talented performers of visual literature. Besides a
literature movement that one could say is still developing, Deaf
theatre has also become a major source of entertainment in the Deaf
community. Gallaudet University and Deaf West Theater put on annual
theatre productions using ASL, and thanks to modern technology such
as Facebook, YouTube, and video sharing, these productions have
become accessible even for those who do not have the ability to
enjoy them live.
Facebook and YouTube have also positively influenced the spread and
enjoyment of Deaf Art such as that created by famous Deaf artist,
Chuck Baird (1947 –2012). Baird's paintings expressed his
interpretation of the Deaf culture around and offered insight to the
Deaf world. In his words, “Deaf art expresses the values of Deaf
culture — the beauty of sign language and its painful oppression,
the joys of Deaf bonding, communication breakdowns between signers
and non-signers, the discovery of language and community, and the
history of Deaf people” (2). Baird was also an influence in creating
De’VIA, or Deaf View/Image Art. Accorind to Deafart.org, “De'VIA
represents Deaf artists and perceptions based on their Deaf
experiences. It uses formal art elements with the intention of
expressing innate cultural or physical Deaf experience” (3). Baird
was a painter, but Deaf art isn’t limited to a canvas. De’VIA was
created by sculptors, video and fiber artists, as well as
historians.
Deaf art with its emphasis on Deaf culture and expression through
signing and visual presentation is distinct from the art of Hearing
culture – but the art of both cultures is rooted in the fact that
all people regardless of being Hearing or Deaf tend to enjoy
entertainment and expressions of creativity.
References:
1. Hinckley, David. "Americans Spend 34 Hours a Week Watching TV,
according to Nielsen Numbers ." NY Daily News. (9/19/2012). <http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/americans-spend-34-hours-week-watching-tv-nielsen-numbers-article-1.1162285>.
(10/7/2013).
2. "Chuck Baird Shares His Vision of Deaf Art and Culture." Chuck
Baird Shares His Vision of Deaf Art and Culture. Gallaudet
University. <http://www.gallaudet.edu/clerc_center/chuck_baird_shares_his_vision_of_Deaf_art_and_culture.html>.
(10/11/13).
3. Dunleavy, John. "What Is Deaf Art?" What Is Deaf Art? Deafart.com.
(No Date). http://www.Deafart.org/Deaf_Art_/Deaf_art_.html>.
(10/10/13).
Also see:
Artistic Signing
You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™
ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars
