The hidden stories of Deaf survivors of the atomic bomb victims told through unique aesthetics and senses

A moving and experimental solo performance of a Deaf artist Chisato Minamimura that unpacks the hidden perspectives of fear and devastation of Deaf people survived the horrors of the atomic bomb atrocity in Japan in 1945, with unique artistic aesthetics and historical reflection

Scored in Silence is a solo sign language performance by London-based Deaf Japanese artist Chisato Minamimura. The show unpacks the hidden perspectives of Deaf people from the small number that survived the horrors of the atomic bomb atrocity in Japan in 1945. Survivors of the A-bomb are known as “hibakusha,” and the final performance is based on a period of research, interviews and original films of elderly Deaf people with lived experiences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Minamimura brings these untold narratives into stark relief, touching upon the atrocity of the event and its aftermath, including the layers of discrimination experienced by these isolated members of Japanese society. Minamimura’s beautifully expressive interaction with the video footages and Holo-gauze screen animations create a powerful visualisation of sound and silent horror. Accessible and meaningful for Deaf, hearing-impaired and general audiences, Scored in Silence gives voice to those who are disenfranchised, and offers audiences insight into how Deaf people perceive the world around them.

Chisato Minamimura was inspired to create this work after meeting an old man she met while visiting here familiy in Japan. Deaf people living in Hiroshima could not have any news through radio, phone call, even the words of mouth. For years, they did not understand what had happened to them or why they had been treated like patients at work and by their loved ones. Minamimura said she had conducted extensive research on deaf people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and she sought to recreate their experiences artistically.
She, Minamimura, compiled and edited video interviews with the survivors, which tell heartbreaking stories of deaf people, their fear and confusion and fear they felt during the incident, as well as the feelings of alienation afterwards. The story is revealed on stage after 70 years have passed, giving us historical reflection and strong emotions on humanity.