Rom Workshop

Following on from ‘Architecture Beyond Sight’ - a long term project by The DisOrdinary Architecture Project that aims to challenge architecture’s tendency to prioritise the visual over other senses - disabled film-maker Anna Ulrikke Andersen worked with ROM architectural gallery in Oslo to develop a similar course that span across impairments and targeted younger people with disabilities. The aim of the project was to ensure that more disabled people in Norway could contribute to a variety of fields, as well as build national and international disability networks.

Supported by ROM Director Gjertrud Steinsvåg and project co-ordinator Malin Langoy Aarbo, Anna firstly led on the creation of a residency open call for Norwegian artists, practitioners, architects, and activist who tackle themes related to disability, part of which would involve tutoring on the short course. Secondly, Anna organised a prototype summer school to test out what worked for disabled participants. Jos Boys took on an advisory role in this project development and was a tutor on the first iteration in June 2023. This was alongside the selected artists in residence - Oslo-based disabled artist Aidan Moseby and Amy van der Hooven and Mia Bjorlykke from the Open Pain Lab, together with Kari Kjelskua, a tatoo artist and project manager at The Sunnaas who introduced VR-Art.