Art Institute of Chicago Unveils Revolutionary Approach To Museum-Going For The Visually Impaired

Wednesday, 19 April 2006 13:31

Chicago, IL - The Art Institute of Chicago is pleased to join the organizations participating in "Bodies of Work: The Chicago Festival of Disability Arts and Culture," a citywide festival. At the Art Institute, visitors can expect a wide range of accessible arts programs, including the Art Institute's Touch Gallery, an exhibition of five portrait busts from the permanent collection that can be explored by touch; free, guided tours of the museum for the blind, led by volunteer escorts; and American Sign Language interpretation for all public gallery talks offered during "Bodies of Work" (see The Art Institute of Chicago for the complete schedule). Finally, the Art Institute will be unveiling a phenomenal and fresh approach to experiencing art for the visually impaired: "TacTiles." "TacTiles" is intended to further the museum's efforts toward providing access to visitors of all ages and abilities. Mickie Silverstein, Assistant Director of Senior Programs, Department of Museum Education, envisioned a portable kit containing color photograph of the image-with text in large type print and Braille-that could be utilized by visually-impaired visitors to explore key pieces of art in the galleries. With a generous grant provided by Beatrice C. Mayer (Buddy) and The Nathan Cummings Foundation, Silverstein enlisted Helen Maria Nugent, School of the Art Institute Interior Architecture/Design faculty member, who collaborated in realizing the project. "TacTiles" consists of a series of masterpieces from the Art Institute's permanent collection re-presented on large, hand-held tiles designed to be touched. The compositions and textures of the works of art are reproduced on the tiles, making these works available and legible, through fingertips, to visually impaired visitors. Each "TacTile" fits into a slot in a specially designed carrying case, which also includes a color reproduction of each work and an information sheet about it. TacTiles is truly a revolutionary approach to presenting visual works of art to those with impaired vision, and they are not available at any other museum. The masterpieces represented on the TacTiles are from the broad range of the Art Institute's permanent collection, and they include: Pierre Auguste Renoir's Two Sisters (On the Terrace) from 1881; Trompe-L'Oeil Still Life with a Flower Garland and a Curtain by Ardriaen van der Spelt and Frans van Mieris of 1658; Joan Miró's Personages with Star from 1933; a Japanese screen by Tosa Mitsuoki, Flowering Cherry with Poem Slips , from ca. 1675; and the marvelous Aztec Coronation Stone of Motecuhzoma II of 1503. "TacTiles," are only available through pre-arranged tours with the Department of Museum Education. Visit The Art Institute of Chicago

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