Have you ever woken up in a completely dark room with no idea of whom is around you?
Me neither.
Imagine … You are free to move. By the voices you assume to be among fifty people. Men and women. There is jazz music in the background. You can speak to anyone. Talk to them, ask questions, make friends … but there is not even a glimmer of light. Pitch dark. You have no idea what everybody’s face looks like.
Only one thing is certain … They don’t know either.
Your awakening might either be a trauma or you might like it. Excluding one of the senses is not easy, but it could be an interesting experience.
It’d be very unlikely for us to have you wake up in a such situation, but our idea is to take you into a room where certain conditions can be accurately recreated. A room where clothes might make the man but, most likely, you won’t even notice.
Wanna try?
In order to succeed in this experiment, there must be rules to follow.
It will be in your own interest to respect them. It is also important to live the experience fully and for the respect of the experience of others.
DON’T PUBLICLY TELL THAT YOU’RE ATTENDING.
Do not use social networks to tell the world that you’re attending. The secrecy of this type of information will make the experience more interesting for everyone. Invite your friends but privately. The only way to participate will be by secretly signing up on this page.
USE YOUR NICKNAME ONLY.
Upon arrival you’ll be assigned a nickname. The nickname is the only thing that will allow you to recognize people with whom you have spoken in the dark. It help us avoid homonyms problems between the participants and to conceal the identity of each. At the entrance you will be give a name tag to stick on your shirt. A copy of it will be stuck to the plastic bag in which will securely keep your mobile phone, lighter and all the potential sources of light you might carry with you. Your belongings will be returned at the end.
NO MOBILE PHONES IN THE DARK.
You will drop your smartphone and any light (Lighter, flash lights, music players… whatever makes light) at the door. Your belongings will be stored safely and returned at the end of the experiment.
DO NOT SPEAK TO ANYBODY OUT OF THE ROOM.
Ideally, we should not see any of the participants before the experiment starts but, since this condition is difficult to recreate, by not speaking at all, we will be more unlikely to associate faces to the voices you will hear in the dark. It is very possible that you will meet other participants outside Together. At the door or even on the street on your way to the place. From the moment you leave your car / scooter / bus, until you get “in the dark”, don’t say a word. Do not let anyone hear your voice.
Go to the number 14, Viale Glorioso, buzz “Together”. We will open the door. Go up to the first floor (one flight of steps). You’ll find the door open.
ACCESS PROCEDURE
At the entrance, you will be asked to:
- leave your jacket / coat on the hanger
- drop your phone and any other source of light
- collect your name tag
- pay the game fee (10.00 €)
- grab a glass of wine
N.B. Try to get there with the exact amount of money in your hand so that you won’t need to get change back. When the process is finished a facilitator will bring you into the dark room.
BE ON TIME.
Punctuality will be critical to the success of the experiment.
The experiment will start at 20.00 o’clock. You can show up in the “time frame” between 19:15 and 19:55. After 20 you will not be allowed to enter the dark. Have respect for other participants. Arrive on time and go through check in quickly and in absolute silence. If you arrive before 20, your experience will last longer.
GAME’S DURATION IS 50 MINS
We think it’s enough time for you to chat talk with a good amount of participants. After 50 minutes the lights will be turned on.
AN INFRARED CAMERA will film what HAPPENS IN THE DARK.
This is how we can document the experiment and also guarantee everybody stays safe.
ONE OR MORE FACILITATORS WILL BE IN THE DARK WITH YOU.
They will be wearing a little light on their shoes for you to spot them. They will be there to help you out in case of questions or problems. They will let you go to the bathroom if you need or help you quit the game. They will be the only micro-lights you see.
DON’T USE ANYBODY’S NAME.
Only use your nickname during the entire game. If you recognize someone in the dark, don’t say their name so that others can hear.
BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS PARTICIPANTS.
Mutual respect is one of the principles of TOGETHER. Do not take advantage of the dark to do things that you would do in the light. Collaborate and follow the rules to make sure all participants have the best possible experience. Think twice before you do anything that could ruin the game for you and for others.
An infrared camera will be filming in the dark.
IF LEAVE THE DARK, YOU’RE OUT.
You can decide to leave the dark at any time, or decide to “bring someone to light.”In any case, if you leave the room, you will not be allowed back.
YOU MUST BE IN BATHROOM ONE AT A TIME.
If you need to use the bathroom you can tell the facilitator who will be standing by the door for the entire duration of the game. This person will make sure to get you out alone, without risking to meet other participants in the light.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE.
The only way to participate to the event is to secretly sign up on this page. Any other way to signal your will to attend (FB event, event sites, official event page on this site) will be ignored. Fill out the form only.
COSTS
To participate to the experience is required a contribution of € 10. The money collected will be used to cover the expenses required for the success of the event.