Masterclass "Visual Vernacular" mit Giuseppe Giuranna

Date: December 13 and 14, 2025 (Saturday and Sunday) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day

Number of participants: max. 15 participants

Language: : German sign language

Sign language competence: At least B1 is required for participation.

Website: Un-Label

The Masterclass 'Visual Vernacular'

We are delighted to welcome sign language artist Giuseppe Giuranna, an internationally pioneering Visual Vernacular (VV) artist, for a two-day masterclass in Cologne. His masterclass will provide practical insights into the unique visual storytelling technique VV, which is deeply rooted in deaf culture. Are you ready to turn your sign language skills into visual poetry? Then you should definitely take part in this masterclass!

What is Visual Vernacular?

Visual Vernacular (VV) is an expressive performance technique that combines sign language, gestures, facial expressions and spatial movement. This creates dynamic, multi-perspective narratives - similar to a poetic live-action film that unfolds on stage. The term "vernacular" refers to a specially coined, unmistakable way of expression, similar to a dialect. "Visual" emphasizes the central importance of sight - the heart of deaf communication. VV allows performers to portray multiple characters and change perspectives, as if they were viewing a scene from different camera angles. This creates an immersive experience for the audience.

In Giuseppe Giuranna's masterclass, you will learn how to discover the creative potential of VV for yourself. With a lot of energy and creativity, he teaches the participants the nine basic rules of VV composition. In his work, Giuranna makes it particularly clear that all deaf people have the ability to tell stories with VV. In this masterclass, participants will also learn more about the origins of VV, which originated in England and later spread to Germany, France and other countries where the art form has long been celebrated through festivals and events. According to Giuseppe Giuranna's approach, VV is not something that has to be strictly learned, but rather a natural ability that can be honed - for example, to tell stories, fables or poems in a creative way.

Visual Vernacular - The nine rules

1. facial expression - the basis of emotions and stories

2. far, near, inside, outside - manipulation of space and perspective

3. three-dimensionality - creating depth and dynamic movement

4. position and space - structuring movement within the performance space

5. different characters - the use of clear visual elements

6. visual metaphor - translating abstract ideas into captivating imagery

7. rhythm - controlling tempo and intensity

8. mime - reinforcing the narrative through physical expression

9. personality - bringing your own unique character to the performance

The Masterclass is aimed at professional and semi-professional artists with and without disabilities from various fields of the performing arts: dancers, choreographers, performers, actors, musicians, directors, dramaturges as well as cultural professionals and interested parties.

Giuseppe Giuranna

Giuseppe Giuranna is an internationally renowned sign language poet and visual vernacular artist. He has been performing on international stages and giving workshops throughout Europe since the 1980s. He has performed in numerous plays, appeared in the film L'uomo delle stelle (Giuseppe Tornatore) and led inclusive theater projects in Germany and Italy. Giuranna was co-founder and artistic director of the Albatros theater group at ZfK Berlin.

Accessibility:

All event rooms are barrier-free. Assistance dogs are welcome.

• Accessible for wheelchair users, at ground level
• Barrier-free bathroom with shower and toilet incl. a hoist for wheelchair users
• Barrier-free access to the garden with stairlift for wheelchair users
• Automatic door opener
• 3 dedicated disabled parking spaces in front of the door
• 1 additional disabled parking space of the city of Cologne around the corner
• Public transport: The barrier-free "Lenauplatz" stop on line 5 is 100 meters away

If required, we can provide the following assistance, please specify when registering:

• Work assistance or mobility assistance on site (provided by Un-Label if required)