Dialogo en la Oscuridad.

Dialogo en la Oscuridad or "Dialogue in the Dark" begins with an unusual premise--the entire "exhibition" takes place in the dark and without a single work of art.

Probably better described as an interactive installation, the aim is to give the visitor a 45-minute insight into a world without vision but infused with a rich variety of sounds, smells, textures and movements. You learn to "see the same world differently," as well as experiencing everyday scenarios from the viewpoint of a blind person.

Housed in a series of rooms in Mexico City's Palacio de Bellas Artes, groups of eight visitors enter every 15 minutes and are ably led through five different scenarios assisted only by the voice of a guide and the hesitant tapping of a museum-supplied cane. All 20 guides are visually impaired.

The scenarios include a forest filled with squawking birds and trailing plants, a market packed with fruit and vegetables, a city street complete with racing traffic, garbage cans and bicycles, a boat ride accompanied by seagulls overhead, and finally a cafe/bar where the braver visitor can attempt to pay for and consume a beer or coffee. All of this in complete darkness of course.

In the absence of any visual stimuli, which you quickly realize we rely on rather heavily, all clues as to your location come from listening to, smelling and touching your surroundings.

The exhibition was created in 1988 by German Andreas Heinecke, prompted by his experience of working with a blind journalist. "Dialogue in the Dark" has since traveled to many major cities in Europe and Asia, but this sojourn in Mexico marks its Latin American debut.

"Day-to-day situations are converted into experiences with totally different features once we are deprived of our sight," Heinecke says. "An exchange of roles takes place: people with normal vision are pulled out of their social routine and their usual habits of perception. The non-seeing guides are there to ensure orientation and mobility, transforming themselves into ambassadors of a culture without images."

One of the elements that struck me most was how vulnerable you initially feel when deprived of your sight and how important it is that your guide keeps talking to reassure you. You also need to be ready to get up close and personal with your fellow visitors as spatial awareness is very hard to judge when you can't see!

But the group bonding experience is also important.

"Inside the exhibition everyone is equal. I don't know whether you are short or tall, with blonde hair or brown," guide Marco Amaro told Business Mexico in an interview. "People help and support each other because they are all in the same situation."

"It's a good way to help people understand what a visual disability feels like, because many people think it is the worst thing that could possibly happen to them and they soon discover this is not the case."

Marco, a Mexico City native, is 29 years old and prior to the exhibition he worked as a chiropractic masseur.

In order to maintain total darkness throughout the experience, you are asked to leave behind mobile phones, watches with lights, electronic personal organizers, cameras or camcorders, clothing or shoes with phosphorescent trim and any type of eyeglasses.

Stumbling out into the light, blinking after 45 minutes of total darkness, the concept of learning to see without eyes suddenly makes a lot more sense.

"Here is my secret. It is very simple: it is only with the heart that one sees clearly. The essential is invisible to the eye."--Antoine de Saint-Exupery in "Le Petit Prince."

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Dialogo en la Oscuridad runs until Oct. 17. The exhibition is open Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 and 18:00. Tickets cost 35 pesos, 20 pesos for students and senior citizens.

Reservations are essential and can be made in person at the Palacio de Bellas Artes or by calling: 5985 3592 or 5985 3593 (Mexico City and metropolitan area) OR 01 800 333 83 28 (toll free call).

Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes,

Ave. Juarez and Eje Central, Centro Historico.

www.museobellasartes.artte.com