Sight Without Light
EXPLORING HUMAN ECHOLOCATION, 2016
Story Inc & Daniel Kish (NZ & US)
Daniel Kish's eyes were surgically removed before he was thirteen months old, to save him from an aggressive form of cancer. As Daniel grew up, he taught himself to see the world around him using echolocation. Daniel makes clicking noises with his tongue to understand his environment, navigating his surroundings by listening to the echoes as his clicks bounce off surfaces.
Seeing is not a metaphor for Daniel. He uses the same part of his brain — the visual cortex — to picture his surroundings as people with eyes do. It's just that the information comes in a different medium. It’s sight without light.
This exhibit aims to give visitors a little glimpse into the world of sight without light by demonstrating one form of echolocation — seeing an object move closer to them by listening to the reflected sound of their own voice.
BIO
Story Inc is a New Zealand-based company that creates visitor experiences around the world. Daniel Kish is president of World Access for the Blind, and teaches others his echolocation technique. He believes that blind children can learn to see in this way, and lead richer and more independent lives as a result. He lives in Long Beach, California.