The goal of this installation is to break expectations and show (literate) people that not everything is or does what they assume, shifting their point of view and bringing awareness and empathy.

The majority of literate people are unaware that people with low literacy face challenges in tasks that many consider simple: understanding an instruction manual, filling in forms, or even reading signs. This can make it hard for illiterates to express their difficulties and ask for help.

Visitors step into a cozy room, with warm red tones, where every interactable object stands out in blue. The space looks familiar at first, but once inside, nothing behaves the way they expect. When they try to switch on the lamp, a trash can opens. When they adjust the radio, the lamp lights up instead. The fan controls the radio, the pedal bin controls the fan, all responding in unexpected ways. Simple tasks turn into small puzzles, and familiar actions no longer lead to familiar results.

Students: Jesse Birnage, Anniek van de Velde, Anna Both & Maaike Hoevenaars