As part of #DDFIExtra, DaDa is proud to present the premiere of ‘Hand Ships Sail –Behind the Scenes’. This film will be available on our youtube channel from 3rd December (International Day of Disabled People) until the close of disability history month UK on 20th December 2025.
Premiere link.
Hand_Ships_Sail_Behind_the_Scenes_Film_Transcript_PDF.pdf
Hand Ships Sail is a poetic conversation in British Sign Language (BSL) – the vital, visual and versatile language of British deaf communities. Two deaf women share their dreams for the future as they look out over the night sky. Intriguing and sensual, the projection artwork begins with giant hands resembling ships at sea, rocked by waves. The sailing hands represent the lifelong voyage all deaf people must take, navigating discrimination in the hearing world.
As part of DaDaFest International’s 40th anniversary celebrations in 2025, Hand Ships Sail was projected onto the historic Cunard buildings at the Pier Head in Liverpool. The Cunard is one of Liverpool’s Three Graces, the iconic waterfront famous for its nautical history as the original headquarters of the Cunard shipping line.
Hand Ships Sail is created by artist Cathy Mager of Spectroscope, and this film documents the events surrounding the projection of the work in Liverpool.
Cathy Mager is a deaf and Bristol based artist and curator specialising in immersive and monumental art installations in unusual spaces. She is founder and director of Spectroscope, an arts collective that has pioneered sign language projection mapping for the BBC, Bristol Light Festival, Science Gallery London and Duolun Museum of Modern Art, Shanghai. Previously she has directed public realm artworks and exhibitions for Bristol Beacon, Forestry England, Southbank Centre, Arts on the Underground and Historic Royal Palaces.
Artist: Cathy Mager, Spectroscope.
Projection Design: Rod Maclachlan
Projection Manager: Cat Roberts
Music: Featuring avant-garde jazz music by composer Stevie-Jo of Bristol band Toddler and electronic crossover rock by Henge.
Based on a culture and quarantine Film Commission for The Space, BBC arts and Unlimited. Originally adapted for Bristol Light Festival, this film is supported by DaDa, The Space, Arts Council England and Spectroscope.
This film premiere is part of #DDFIExtra, a DaDa winter programme supported by British Council funding, helping to deepen international artistic exchange, and by Arts Council England, through DaDa’s status as a National Portfolio Organisation and Liverpool City Council through their Cultural Arts Investment Programme.