The Visionary Mind "Insight through touch"
An Exploration of Artwork and Sculpture made by Blind People using Tactile Colour.
All the collages and sculptures have been made using Tactile Colour, a medium combining textures and colours. An easy system of 12 distinctive textures in 12 bold colours, Tactile Colour has been designed to be inclusive and to promote integration. You are invited to join the informal workshop table available at the exhibitions.
Tactile Colour maps have been printed of Beacon Hill Park and Downtown Victoria in Grade 1 Braille and raised print. If you would like one please ask staff at the show or tell people to contact us.
Ask for shaped coloured and textured stickers if you, or you know anyone else, who needs them to identify things.
Information normally displayed in colour is identified and accessed by touch.
Educational aid for the integrated classroom; blind and sighted children learn and play together.
Blind and partially sighted people use the self-adhesive sheet vinyl to make pictures, labeling systems, and games independently or with others.
Inspiration for creativity in people with different artistic and visual abilities.
Blends colour and texture as an introduction to the use of touch for people who may lose more sight.
The Visionary Mind has been set up for blind people and everybody is being given an amazing opportunity to experience and discover art through touch. Come and allow your mind to be altered by exploring art through another sense. It forms a new pathway of perception in your brain. For some of us it is already a way of life to gain information through touch.
You are provided with an audio track, which tells you about the artists and their experience making the piece. You will be told the title; the materials used and a detailed description, which will guide your hands through the work. This is intended to assist you to create an image in your mind. The pieces will be placed on tables with angled stands, which are detachable for people with restricted reach. Each piece will be labeled with Braille and large raised print. It is recommended that you take the eye shield to help you concentrate on your sense of touch. Floor level lighting is provided so that people with sight can move around more safely. Afterwards, you will get a chance to see the visually exciting work. Each piece of art has been made by a partnership of a blind or partially sighted artist with an artist with regular sight. People range from professional artists to children and people making their first piece of art to seniors. There are 16 pieces in the enclosure to discover by touch. The audio track is less than half an hour but you may wish to take longer to get more from the experience.
QUOTES FROM OUR previous comment books:
"This display certainly proves that there is plenty of power and beauty in the sense of touch, and it should not be forgotten or neglected when creating arts."
"Very stimulating and encouraging experience."
"It felt like for the first time in my life that I could actually appreciate art. Here I was going down the display looking at it - the way I look at things, and through the tape and Braille sign I was able to observe an art show for the first time in my life."
"Thank you so much. An amazing experience for a sighted person. I hope you do this sort of exhibit again!"
"Very intriguing concept - I felt like I got in touch with a very valuable aspect of my sensation and perception that I before had ignored."
"Thank you for this experience. As a sighted person when I talk about displacement it is sometimes so metaphorical it is unreal, but the journey of touch and the displacement of following texture and dimensions opened my mind to not knowing but finding. Extraordinary."
"Fascinating idea that is long overdue. This is really the next step for exposing all of the senses. Thanks for your hard work!"
"Great show! The audio is very well done and very helpful. I find that the info on the colours used really helps. The time period to go through the show is good. Great work!!"
