Imagine being a great admirer of art. Now, also imagine the frustration of a blind person unable to enjoy visual art, because museums do not have work titles written in Braille.
Aldo Grassini designed the Omero State Tactile Museum in Ancona, Italy, one of the most unique in the world. The intution came to him on a trip to Germany where he and his wife, who are both blind, felt left out at all of the museums.
ALDO GRASSINI
President, Omero State Tactile Museum
“This is how the idea came to mind: it was to put all of the copies of the most important works of sculpture and art in one place, in a way in which the blind have the possibility of touching and seeing them.”
The Museum of Rome, in collaboration with the Omero Museum, now offers an unparalleled experience. The blind can enjoy the works of Caravaggio through touch.
LUDOVICA
'The mechanics are quite simple. The same experience can be had with the aid of a mask for those who have normal vision or simply by closing their eyes.”
“We help the visitor by giving them a small description of the work, and sometimes also guide his or her hand because it can be difficult, as there are many strokes.”
Ludovica takes the hand of all those who want to know the works of Caravaggio through patience and in absolute darkness. She says it is comforting to see how those who have lost their sight still enjoy art.
LUDOVICA
'They are usually enthusiastic, because it's a completely different approach. Considering that they are pictures, their three-dimensionality has the same effect of when you compare and observe them to a two-dimensional figure. Most are going to be quite happy after the experience.'
Painter Marc Chagall said that 'art is a state of the soul.” This holds true, because even with the absence of one of the senses, people can still enjoy art, just in a different way.
